MIAMI _ If the Marlins were unconvinced of Jeremy Hellickson's capabilities, the veteran's last 14 innings against them should suffice. Every other team _ and there are numerous _ in search of an inexpensive, mid-rotation starter will note that Hellickson is pitching his best as the trade deadline nears.
He has started twice in the last six days against Miami. The Phillies have won both times. A 4-0 victory on Monday happened with Hellickson out of the game, but his six innings of one-hit ball kept a punchless offense close enough.
The Phillies won because Maikel Franco walked and darted home on a Tommy Joseph double in the eighth inning, but Hellickson's continued successes carries importance for a franchise looking to further its rebuilding process with every incremental move.
They do not have to trade Hellickson; he has fulfilled his role as a steady presence in the team's young rotation. But Hellickson is a free agent at season's end and probably headed elsewhere in the winter. It would not hurt to exchange him now for a few lottery tickets that could help later, when the Phillies are contending and not rebuilding. And, in the immediate, it would clear a rotation spot for prospect Jake Thompson.
Either way, Hellickson is the most compelling Phillie with Sunday's looming deadline. Scouts from the Orioles, Blue Jays, Pirates and Giants _ all of which seek a rotation upgrade _ attended Monday's game. It is not high drama. Then again, the Phillies do not have a Cole Hamels or Jonathan Papelbon to flip this summer.
It could be that Hellickson's Phillies career ended with him in the on-deck circle, being called back for a pinch-hitter, and it was too appropriate. The Phillies put runners on second and third with none out thanks to a walk, a bunt single and an error. All they needed was for Cody Asche or Peter Bourjos to put the ball in play.
Both struck out. That prompted Phillies manager Pete Mackanin to replace Hellickson with Ryan Howard, a .166 hitter, who went down on four pitches.
Asche, who broke an 0-for-26 skid with a single in the fifth inning, stands to lose playing time as soon as Thursday, when Aaron Altherr is slated to return from the disabled list.
"He has to start hitting," Mackanin said. "With Altherr in the picture, that's going to make it tougher for everybody to play. ... Everybody competes. It's a competition for jobs."
Mackanin could be proud Monday of the way his lineup competed. Franco, not the fleetest of feet, scored from first base on a double for the first time this season. The Phillies added three more runs in the ninth inning, with the help of two Marlins errors. They cracked Miami's two best relievers, Fernando Rodney and A.J. Ramos.
Hellickson permitted that opportunity. Again, he mastered a potent Miami lineup. In his eight innings last Wednesday, Hellickson allowed one run. He would have had a shot at the complete game had Mackanin not needed to pinch-hit for his pitcher.
This time, Hellickson threw with the same efficiency. He retired the first nine Marlins he faced on 36 pitches. When he encountered trouble in the fourth, he conquered Giancarlo Stanton and Marcell Ozuna to escape unharmed. Hellickson fired 70 pitches in six innings.
His 3.65 ERA is at its lowest since the first week of the season. That will get him noticed.
"He's a heck of a good starting pitcher," Mackanin said. "If he gets traded, I know it'll be for the right deal. If not, I'm happy to have him."
