PBR - With the other starters in the Phillies rotation either struggling or injured, Cole Hamels was out on the mound Saturday afternoon in pursuit of his league-leading ninth win against the Marlins.

He'll have to wait, however, as Miami scored five unanswered runs after being down three to come back and beat the Phils, 5-4, in divisional play at Citizens Bank Park.

Hamels pitched 6 2/3 innings, allowing five runs on seven hits despite fanning eight Marlins in only his second loss.

With the Phillies leading 3-2 in the sixth inning, Miami third basemen Hanley Ramirez hit his second home run of the game, a two-run shot to take the lead for the Marlins. An inning later, Jose Reyes doubled in Chris Coghlan for the insurance run.

Miami closer Heath Bell came out in the ninth inning for the save.

Ramirez ended the day 2-for-4 with three RBI and teammate Logan Morrison also went 2-for-4 on the game.

For the Marlins (30-23), starter Ricky Nolasco gave up four earned runs over seven-plus innings of work in the winning effort.

Juan Pierre moved himself up to third base in the first inning with a steal, then another 90 feet for his 999th run scored in his career to put the Phillies (28-26) up 1-0.

Next inning, veteran shortstop Jimmy Rollins unintentionally dribbled one to the left side of the infield for a perfect RBI-single that plated Placido Polanco before Hunter Pence led off the third with a solo shot to right for the 3-0 lead.

Pence added another RBI on a sacrifice fly in the eighth inning to put the Phils within a run. He finished 1-for-2.

Out of the Phils bullpen, Chad Qualls, Michael Schwimer and Raul Valdes made appearance in relief of Hamels.

Tomorrow, the rubber match will feature Joe Blanton (4-4, 4.96 ERA as starter) for the Phillies against Miami pitcher Carlos Zambrano (3-3, 3.00 ERA). First pitch is scheduled for 1:35.

Post a Comment

Previous Post Next Post