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Phillies Notes: Phillies getting walked over by opponents

The Phillies have been so ineffective hitting and fielding early in this rebuilding season, they certainly can't afford to give free passes to their opponents.

Phillies' pitcher Jeanmar Gomez throws against the  Marlins  during the 9th inning at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Thursday, April 23, 2015. The Marlins beat the Phillies 9-1. (Steven M. Falk / Staff Photographer)
Phillies' pitcher Jeanmar Gomez throws against the Marlins during the 9th inning at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, Thursday, April 23, 2015. The Marlins beat the Phillies 9-1. (Steven M. Falk / Staff Photographer)Read more

The Phillies have been so ineffective hitting and fielding early in this rebuilding season, they certainly can't afford to give free passes to their opponents.

But through their first five series of April, walks also have plagued the scuffling ball club. Their pitching staff left Citizens Bank Park Thursday afternoon leading the majors with 66 walks over 16 games.

In 522/3 innings, the bullpen has accounted for 30 of those walks.

"That's something we wanted to improve on from last year," manager Ryne Sandberg said. "Challenging the hitters and working down in the zone and making routine plays behind them, all that works together."

The Phillies walked the third-highest total of batters in baseball (521) last season. Only the White Sox (557) and Rockies (531) had more.

Early in this season, they are averaging 4.2 walks per nine innings. Dustin McGowan has accounted for 11 walks in 101/3 innings. Justin De Fratus has six in nine innings. Jake Diekman has six in six innings.

McGowan in particular has struggled to command his pitches. The 33-year-old righthander issued four walks in his spot-start Thursday. He walked the bases loaded in the four-run fourth inning before allowing a two-run single to Miami shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria.

"If I could eliminate it, that's the thing," McGowan said. "You're not even giving your team a chance to get an out. That's something I've got to cut back on."

Good day for Ruf

Darin Ruf, who entered Thursday with just three hits in 30 at-bats, was the only Phillie who swung a hot bat in the series finale against the Marlins.

Playing first base and batting fifth, Ruf doubled twice, once in the second inning and again in the ninth. Off the bat, his ninth-inning two-bagger appeared to be a goner, but the wind pulled it back in, so much so that Marlins leftfielder Ichiro Suzuki was out of position to catch it.

"Thankfully it did end up working out for me," Ruf said. "I just try to have a good at-bat. I can't help the elements out there, so whatever happens, happens. Luckily, Ichiro thought it was gone as well."

Ruf could have had a three-hit day if not for Hechavarria. The Marlins shortstop made a great defensive play ranging to his left on a ground ball up the middle in the fifth inning.

Extra bases

Righthander Hector Neris made his season debut in relief of McGowan and allowed two hits over 12/3 shutout innings. . . . Freddy Galvis' pinch-hit single in the eighth inning gave him 16 hits in his last 45 at-bats, a .356 average.

- Jake Kaplan