Marlins rally to avoid sweep in Philly
PHILADELPHIA -- Thanks to an eighth-inning rally, the Miami Marlins beat the Philadelphia Phillies 5-4 at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday to avoid a sweep.
Reliever Hector Neris took the loss after blowing a two-run lead for Philadelphia in the bottom of the eighth. Center fielder Christian Yelich hit the left-field foul pole to tie the game at four. The two-run homer, Yelich's 19th, was his only hit of the day.
Phillies first baseman Tommy Joseph and second baseman Cesar Hernandez then had a miscommunication on a routine pop up that allowed Marcel Ozuna to reach second. He moved to third on a groundout. Then catcher J.T. Realmuto beat out a ball hit to third for an infield single, knocking in the winning run off Neris. The run was unearned.
Lefty Mike Dunn picked up the win and A.J. Ramos recorded his 37th save of the season.
Philadelphia's offense looked like it would keep the momentum going from an 8-0 victory on Saturday by getting to Miami starter Andrew Cashner early. A starting lineup that featured no players over the age of 26 knocked in four runs on eight hits, but managed only one run off the Marlins' bullpen.
Cashner's struggles with the Marlins continued. The hard-throwing righty gave up two runs on RBI singles by center fielder Odubel Herrera and Joseph in a 38-pitch first inning. He lasted just four innings giving up three runs on five hits, walking three and striking out four. Acquired at the trade deadline from San Diego, he's now 5-12 with a 5.27 ERA on the season
Herrera and shortstop Freddy Galvis who each hit a solo home run and singled. Galvis' homer came in the sixth and was his 20th of the season. Philadelphia has four players with 20-plus homers for the first time since 2009. Joseph hit No. 20 on Saturday to join Ryan Howard and third baseman Maikel Franco.
Third baseman Martin Prado was ejected by home plate umpire Dale Scott after Alec Asher struck him out looking to end the third. Prado finished the day 0-for-2. Derek Dietrich had an RBI single and scored on Yelich's game-tying homer after drawing a walk. He finished 2-for-3.
Asher went 4 1/3 innings giving up two runs on six hits, striking out four and walking none. Lefty reliever Joely Rodriguez pitched out of Asher's fifth-inning jam, going 1 1/3 innings scoreless. Neris went 1 1/3, giving up three runs (two earned) on two hits, striking out two and walking one.
The Marlins return home to take on the first-place Nationals on Monday with their playoff hopes waning. They trail the Giants, who take on the Cardinals later Sunday afternoon, by 5 1/2 games for the second wild-card spot.
The Phillies are off on Monday and will host the White Sox for a two-game set starting Tuesday.
NOTES: Marlins OF Giancarlo Stanton was not in the lineup for the second straight day on Sunday for Miami. He was 0-for-2 with two walks and left the game in the sixth inning on Friday, his first start since returning from the DL (groin). ... Phillies 1B Ryan Howard was a late scratch Saturday with knee soreness and was not in the lineup again Sunday. He has fluid in his left knee. ... Philadelphia prospect Jorge Alfaro started behind the plate on Sunday.