It was a tough setup for Romano, who had only a one-run lead and Juan Soto and Pete Alonso coming up with the automatic runner on base. Romano retired Soto, but Alonso delivered a game-tying double. After an intentional walk, Romano struck out Mark Vientos, only to yield a game-ending single to Starling Marte. Romano has been bad and shouldn’t be a part of fantasy rosters right now, but this one won’t be held against him.

Brought in to finish an 11-4 game, Romano was left in after surrendering a three-run homer to Dane Myers, only to give up an RBI double and a two-run homer afterwards. José Alvarado finally entered at that point and quickly got the final out with the score 11-10. Romano had pitched three straight scoreless innings coming into this one, and he actually had great velocity today, averaging 97.0 mph with his fastball. Still, his ERA stands at 15.26 through 7 2/3 innings, and he simply can’t be trusted in a close game right now.

It’s not hyperbolic to suggest that Romano might be finished as a viable closing option. He got the call to work the seventh inning with the Phillies leading by two runs at the time and was pulled after allowing three consecutive batters to reach base safely without recording an out. It’ll be José Alvarado handling the closing duties for the Phillies until further notice.

Romano came on with the Phillies leading 3-0 in the ninth inning, but things got tighter in a hurry as he walked Mookie Betts and served up a two-run blast to Tommy Edman. After striking out Teoscar Hernandez, Romano walked Will Smith to put the tying run on base. He then punched out Max Muncy and pinch runner Chris Taylor was cut down trying to steal second base to end it. He now holds a troublesome 9.00 ERA, 1.75 WHIP and a 6/3 K/BB ratio over four innings on the season and could soon fall behind Jose Alvarado in the pecking order for saves in the Phillies’ bullpen.