Hellickson, Phillies blank Marlins 8-0
PHILADELPHIA -- The word 'explosive' hasn't been used much to describe anything the Philadelphia Phillies have done in the second half of a season that had seen them go 18-34 entering the weekend.
Yet, that term perfectly summed up their performance on Saturday. Behind a seven-run onslaught in the first two innings, the Phillies cruised past the Miami Marlins, 8-0. It's the most runs the Phillies have scored since winning 10-6 over Colorado on August 12.
The Phillies reeled off seven hits through two frames. A.J. Ellis delivered the biggest blow with his three-RBI double to cap a five-run first inning. In the second, Tommy Joseph launched a two-run homer just a few feet away from the 409-foot sign in center field.
Not to be outdone by his teammates' hot bats, Jeremy Hellickson (12-9) calmly put forth his most dominant start this season. The righty went the distance, fanning five and allowing just three base runners, none of which by walks. His previous high was eight innings on July 20, coincidentally, coming against Miami.
It was his first career complete game since he accomplished the feat twice in 2011 with Tampa Bay.
Jose Urena (407) followed up his longest career start -- 8.2 innings in a 6-4 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 11 -- with his shortest career outing as a starter. He was knocked out of the game after two innings, in which he was responsible for a career-worst seven runs.
More importantly, the loss means the Marlins won't make up any of the five games that separate them from the second wild card spot held by the New York Mets.
In back-to-back innings, the Phillies put themselves into one-out, bases loaded situations. They failed to send anyone across in the fifth as Odubel Herrera struck out to end the inning.
The Phillies were able to salvage a run in the fourth, though.
Maikel Franco send a grounder up the middle that was nearly turned into a double play. Franco was ruled safe by the first base umpire. The Marlins opted not to challenge the call despite taking a few moments to decide whether or not to do so. Roman Quinn scored on the fielder's choice to push the lead to 8-0.
The Marlins had just one hit from the fourth inning on when Martin Prado singled to left field in that frame.
NOTES: The Phillies improved to 7-5 in extra-inning games with their 4-3 win over Miami in the 13th inning on Friday. The win total is tied for seventh-most in MLB. ... Philadelphia veteran 1B Ryan Howard belted his 14th home run in 158 at-bats since June 7. His rate of 11.29 AB/HR ranks second in the MLB behind Minnesota 2B Brian Dozier (10.57) during that span. ... Miami is looking to win its first season series against Philadelphia since 2008. The Phillies hold a 9-8 advantage in 2016 with two games to play this weekend. ... After this series, the Marlins return home where they host a 10-game stand against three division opponents: Washington, Atlanta and New York.