Rookie right fielder Nick Williams hit a go-ahead grand slam in the sixth inning to lead the Phillies to just their 30th win of the season on Sunday.
"Any win is a good win for us to get," Phillies manager Pete Mackanin said.
"He’s been playing very aggressively," Mackanin added when asked about Williams. "He swings the bat aggressively. He has some things he has to change with his swing. He has some holes like everybody else does. You have to like the way he’s playing. I like the way he’s swinging the bat. I’m happy with him so far."
Jerad Eickhoff will start for the Phillies in the series opener, making just his second appearance since coming off the disabled list with a back injury. He pitched five scoreless innings, striking out eight batters, in his most recent start, July 9 against the San Diego Padres.
"I felt great out there," Eickhoff said. "It was good to get out there and pitch. I had a feel for the ball and felt my command was good. It's something to build off of, for sure."
The Marlins will start right-hander Tom Koehler on Monday. For his career against the Phillies he is 4-4 with a 3.43 ERA.
Deadline Two Weeks Away
The looming trade deadline is just 14 days away. Several Phillies, including Pat Neshek, Jeremy Hellickson, Daniel Nava, and Tommy Joseph are prime candidates to be shipped elsewhere.
A Second No-No
Left-hander Nick Fanti tossed his second no-hitter of the season Monday afternoon for single-A Lakewood. He struck out 12 batters, allowing just one baserunner on the afternoon via a walk. He is the first Lakewood pitcher to throw a nine-inning no-hitter in a winning effort. Gavin Floyd pitched a no-hitter in 2002, but the BlueClaws lost, 1-0.
Fanti recorded 26 outs earlier this year in a combined no-hitter on May 6.
The 20-year-old has a 2.54 ERA through 15 starts this season.
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