Phillies wrap up last-place finish with loss to Marlins

MIAMI - The 87th Phillies loss in 2014 resembled many before it, even though there was a certain significance to this particular one Thursday. The Phillies sealed a last-place finish for the first time since 2000. There will be countless growing pains for this franchise because no one can state with confidence that this is the nadir.

David Buchanan could not pitch beyond the sixth inning in a 6-4 loss to the Marlins because Miami crushed him for nine hits. Everything fell apart in the seventh inning when Christian Yelich's routine grounder skipped through Cody Asche's legs. Jake Diekman, who allowed five hits and retired one batter, never overcame it, taking the loss.

At least those players could learn from mistakes. The Phillies view them as future assets, and these meaningless games are meant to acclimate them to the harshness of a 162-game season.

Buchanan may never be better than a fifth starter. Asche could switch positions this winter. And Diekman has not translated his consistent success against lefthanded batters to righthanded ones. But all of that remains to be seen.

Buchanan emerged as an unexpected contributor. The Phillies did not protect him in last winter's Rule 5 draft. He finished 2014 with a 3.75 ERA in 1172/3 innings.

"That's why I feel so blessed," Buchanan said. "Six months ago I never would have imagined this was possible. It was my dream to be here. I was shooting to be a September call-up. And then two months in, I was making my debut. I'm thrilled."

Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg called Buchanan "a pleasant surprise." But the warnings for 2015 are found in four Phillies rookie starters who preceded Buchanan. Kyle Kendrick, J.A. Happ, Vance Worley, and Jonathan Pettibone all enjoyed relative success as rookies without overpowering arsenals. Hitters were unfamiliar with their style; they prospered without huge adjustments.

Those four pitchers combined for a 3.38 ERA during their first full seasons, with an average of 20.5 starts made. But all four struggled to adapt the next season. Their combined ERA jumped to 4.65, with an average of 17.8 starts among them. Every pitcher is different, but this is not an unusual phenomenon. It is hard to reach the majors, and even harder to stay. Happ, Worley, and Pettibone suffered arm injuries in their second full seasons.

Buchanan, who turns 26 next May, arrived with more seasoning than some of the others. He said he made the mistake of nibbling in his third start, which taught him a quick lesson. "Stay true to myself," Buchanan said. Sandberg likes his chances.

"I know he has the aptitude to make adjustments," Sandberg said. "I'm anxious to see him in spring training with this year under his belt. He was a guy who stood out in spring training this year because I noticed him as the first one to the ballpark every day. Before the coaches were even there, and that was 6 o'clock."

Buchanan often draws comparisons to a young Kendrick, which is not a bad thing. Kendrick, until he became expensive through arbitration, provided the Phillies with a solid presence at the back of the rotation.

The Phillies must pad the middle of their 2015 rotation with outside additions, but Buchanan is an attractive No. 5 option making near the major-league minimum salary.

Buchanan ended the season with three or fewer earned runs in 16 straight starts. That was the longest streak this season for a National League righthanded pitcher. His ERA during that span was 3.16.

He threw his fastball at an average velocity of 90.3 m.p.h., and Sandberg wondered whether exposure to a rigorous conditioning program could add zip to his pitches.

"His work ethic is good," Sandberg said. "He's a student of the game. He asks a lot of questions, still. He continues to want to get better."

So do the rest of the Phillies, although that is an ambitious task.