Phillies 8, Marlins 7
PHILADELPHIA -- After stumbling into the All-Star break, the Philadelphia Phillies have opened the second half with some wins.
Left fielder Jeff Francoeur delivered a two-run, walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning on Sunday to flip a 7-6 deficit into an 8-7 win over the Miami Marlins.
The Marlins (38-54) overcame a 5-2 hole in the third inning and a 6-5 deficit in the eighth, but the Phillies (32-62), who lost a franchise-record 62 games in the first half, got the last laugh, completing just their second sweep of the season and third streak of three or more consecutive wins.
Trailing 6-5 in the eighth and facing setup man Ken Giles, Miami tied the game on a sacrifice fly by catcher Jeff Mathis after center fielder Cole Gillespie led off with a double followed by a single from pinch-hitter Derek Dietrich.
Right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, who was the next batter after Mathis, flared a two-strike, two-out single to plate the go-ahead run.
Giles, who entered with a 1.77 ERA, hadn't given up a run since June 30. Hector Neris picked up the win in relief.
Marlins closer A.J. Ramos (1-2), who came in with a 1.11 ERA, blew the save.
With the game deadlocked at 5-5 in the bottom of the seventh, Francoeur and second baseman Cesar Hernandez put Philadelphia ahead. Francoeur, who entered the game in the top half of the seventh as part of a double switch, led off the bottom half with a single and eventually scored on a one-out double by Hernandez.
Neither starter, either of whom could be traded to contenders by the July 31 deadline, was impressive.
Phillies left-hander Cole Hamels followed up one of his worst career starts with another clunker, lasting just three innings and allowing five runs on eight hits.
Meanwhile, Marlins right-hander Dan Haren was knocked around in the second inning but survived six innings of five-run ball. It marked just the second time this season Haren surrendered five or more runs in a start.
Despite giving up five hits and five runs in the second, he allowed just two hits over his other five frames.
The Marlins started early with singles, but the Phillies quickly countered with power.
After Miami produced a pair of runs in the top of the second inning on three base hits and a sacrifice bunt, Philadelphia struck for five runs in the bottom half on five hits, including two long homers by first baseman Ryan Howard and shortstop Freddy Galvis.
Howard led off the frame with a solo shot into the right-field upper deck before Galvis followed suit with a two-run blast to give the Phillies a 3-2 lead. Philadelphia tacked on two runs when left fielder Ben Revere smacked an RBI double and Hernandez hit an RBI groundout.
But back came the Marlins, who chased Hamels with three more runs the very next inning to erase the deficit.
Left fielder Christian Yelich, shortstop Adeiny Hechavarria and Gillespie all delivered RBI hits to knot the score and end Hamels' outing after three innings, eight hits and five runs.
Over an eight-start stretch from May 8 to June 14, Hamels allowed 14 earned runs in 57 1/3 innings (2.20 ERA). In his last two starts, he's allowed 14 earned runs in 6 1/3 innings (19.91 ERA).
NOTES: Marlins 2B Miguel Rojas was lifted for a pinch runner in the top of the fifth inning because of stomach nausea. Rojas, who was replaced by 2B Donovan Solano, is considered day to day. ... Marlins C J.T. Realmuto received the day off as backup C Jeff Mathis started in his place. Realmuto entered Sunday hitting .299 over his last 28 games. ... Phillies OF Cody Asche was rested in favor of OF Odubel Herrera. OF Ben Revere shifted to left field, while Herrera started in center field. ... The Marlins next travel to Arizona to play the Diamondbacks in a three-game series starting Monday. Here are Miami's probable starting pitchers in order: RHP David Phelps (4-5, 3.86 ERA), RHP Mat Latos (3-6, 4.90 ERA), RHP Jose Fernandez (2-0, 2.37 ERA). ... The Phillies next welcome the Tampa Bay Rays to Citizens Bank Park for a three-game series starting Monday. Here are Philadelphia's probable starting pitchers in order: RHP David Buchanan (0-5, 7.58 ERA), RHP Aaron Nola (0-0), LHP Adam Morgan (1-2, 3.91 ERA).