Five walks in 1 2/3 innings — the first Phillies starter to do that since 1998 — will only prompt larger questions about where Abel fits.

Phillies righthander Mick Abel gave one free pass after another to the San Diego Padres in a 6-4 loss in Wednesday’s opener of a twilight doubleheader Abel walked five batters and lasted just 1.2 innings.

One strike. That was all Mick Abel needed. One measly strike, one pitch anywhere close to the zone, and Abel might’ve sidestepped trouble Wednesday, two innings into the Phillies’ day-night doubleheader against the Padres.

Max Kepler and Brandon Marsh each homered and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the San Diego Padres 5-1 on Wednesday night to earn a doubleheader split. Kepler hit his 10th homer of the season — a two-run shot off San Diego starter Dylan Cease (3-8) in the fourth inning — to put the Phillies ahead 2-1.

This affiliate content is not influenced by our advertising relationships, but AP and Data Skrive might earn commissions from our partners’ links in this content.

It's Wednesday, July 2 and the Padres (45-39) are in Philadelphia to take on the Phillies (50-35). Nick Pivetta is slated to take the mound for San Diego against Mick Abel for Philadelphia. Philadelphia took the series opener 4-0 in Bryce Harper’s return and the strong pitching of Zack Wheeler.