Phillips' key double leads to 3-2 win for Reds
CINCINNATI -- Brandon Phillips returned to the starting lineup in a big way with two doubles, one of which drove in the go-ahead runs in the seventh inning, lifting the Cincinnati Reds to a 3-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Wednesday night at Great American Ball Park.
The loss dropped Miami (62-58) one game behind the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants for the second National League wild-card spot.
Marlins starter Andrew Cashner allowed one earned run in five innings and left with a 2-1 lead.
But in the seventh, Billy Hamilton, who had been out of the lineup since crashing into the outfield wall twice on Monday, reached on a pinch-infield single. The Reds chose to bunt Hamilton into scoring position. Joey Votto was then intentionally walked.
Phillips, who had been out of the lineup after sustaining a bruised left knee during Sunday's game, delivered a two-run double off Nick Wittgren to put Cincinnati ahead 3-2.
Phillips went 2-for-4 with two doubles, two RBIs and a run scored.
Wittgren (3-2) allowed two earned runs and two hits in an inning to take the loss.
Josh Smith (2-1) pitched two scoreless innings for the victory. Left-hander Tony Cingrani pitched a 1-2-3 ninth for his 15th save of the season.
Cashner labored during a 23-pitch first inning during which he issued two walks but escaped a bases-loaded jam.
Reds right-hander Homer Bailey, making his first start at Great American Ball Park since Aug. 7, 2014, scattered three hits through the first three innings.
But Marcell Ozuna led off the fourth with his 21st home run on a 3-2 pitch from Bailey to put Miami ahead 1-0. That put Ozuna two homers shy of his career high set in 2014.
It was the first homer allowed by Bailey in his four starts since coming off the disabled list.
Phillips doubled off Ozuna's glove in deep center field to begin the fourth, then sprinted home when Eugenio Suarez followed with a double to left to tie the score 1-1.
In the fifth, Suarez had a potential inning-ending grounder from Ozuna to skip through his legs into left field, allowing the go-ahead run to score for Miami.
Bailey left after five innings having thrown 96 pitches. He allowed one earned run with a walk and six strikeouts.
NOTES: Marlins manager Don Mattingly said he's planning regular rest for RF Ichiro Suzuki to keep the veteran fresh for the stretch run. ... Mattingly expects RHP Jose Fernandez, who skipped his last turn in the rotation, to not miss another start if healthy. ... Reds CF Billy Hamilton did not start his second straight game after twice crashing into the outfield wall on Monday night. ... Cincinnati 2B Brandon Phillips returned to the lineup after missing two games with a left knee contusion. ... Reds LF Adam Duvall will miss at least a few more games after fouling a pitch off his left foot on Monday.