You can’t say who will win until the very last ball — and the Philadelphia Phillies proved that at Citizens Bank Park. What looked like a smooth win turned into a heart-stopping finale. At one point, they were comfortably leading the Miami Marlins 11-4, but the game ended with a nail-biting 11-10 victory. One moment, they were in full control — the next, the Marlins nearly stole the show.
The Phillies had been riding high, entering the game with confidence following three consecutive wins. The offense was firing on all cylinders. Bryson Stott and Johan Rojas each collected three hits, while Trea Turner led with four of his own. With a total of 18 hits, everything seemed to be going Philadelphia’s way — until the ninth inning arrived.
That’s when everything changed.
Pretty candid postgame thoughts from Jordan Romano
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— On Pattison (@OnPattison) April 19, 2025
The Marlins mounted a fierce comeback, putting six runs on the board. Dane Myers launched a three-run home run, Graham Pauley added an RBI double, and Liam Hicks smashed a two-run homer. The momentum shifted dramatically, and the home crowd went from celebratory to anxious.
At the center of this sudden turn was reliever Jordan Romano, a key offseason acquisition by the Phillies. Signed on a one-year, $8.5 million deal, Romano was expected to bring stability and experience to the bullpen. But on this night, things unraveled. Romano gave up all six ninth-inning runs while recording just two outs. His ERA ballooned to 15.26, and he left the field to the sound of boos from disappointed fans.
After the game, Romano spoke candidly, saying, “What’s honestly crazy to me is, like, I went out there and executed what I wanted to do. It’s just the worst result possible.” He explained that he tried to stay in the zone with his fastball and mix in his slider, but the Marlins hitters were dialed in.
It was a brutal outing — arguably the worst of his career, he admitted. Romano had previously found success as a closer with the Blue Jays, earning All-Star selections in 2022 and 2023, and notching 105 saves with a 2.90 ERA over 231 relief appearances. The Phillies hoped to tap into that experience, especially after losing key bullpen arms in the offseason.
Despite the scare, the Phillies held on. Jose Alvarado stepped in to record the final out, earning his fifth save of the season. But the close call has raised concerns about Romano’s role going forward. With a WHIP of 2.22 and only seven strikeouts in 7.2 innings, his struggles have forced the team to reconsider their late-game strategy.
The good news? Romano hasn’t been standing still. After reviewing his mechanics, he made a key change — reducing the height of his leg lift. He acknowledged that his previous exaggerated motion was disrupting his balance and control. Since making the adjustment, Romano has shown signs of improvement. In his last three innings, he’s allowed just one hit and no runs. His fastball is averaging 95.4 mph again, and his delivery looks more efficient.
“I feel more comfortable, more clean,” Romano said about the new mechanics. With better balance and command, the hope is that he can return to his All-Star form and give the Phillies the late-inning reliability they desperately need.
In the end, one rough outing doesn’t erase a career of success. But in a high-pressure environment like Philadelphia, every pitch counts. The Phillies’ decision to sign Romano was a calculated risk. Time will tell if that gamble pays off — or if this was a warning sign of deeper issues.
What do you think — was it just a rough night, or did the Phillies take too big of a risk with Romano?