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.

The Padres took the first game of their doubleheader with the Phillies, but Philadelphia won the second game to take the three-game series.

The Padres won Game 1, 6-4, as Manny Machado drove in three runs. Kyle Schwarber homered for the Phillies, who took two of three in the series. Kepler was 2-for-4 in Game 2. Sanchez (7-2) got 13 ground-ball outs, didn’t walk a batter and struck out five. It was his fourth consecutive game with at least six innings pitched and no walks.

Philadelphia has a team born to slug and a starting rotation that is among the best in baseball. But there are needs, including better play in center field and bullpen reinforcements. President of baseball operations Dave Dombrowski is known to make big deals at the deadline.

After all, the Phillies can’t afford to sit on their hands with an aging core of Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Zach Wheeler preparing for what could possibly be their last run together.