Marlins Lose Again

The Phillies beat the Marlins for the second night in a row

Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel loves it when his team rallies to earn a big win. He would just like to lead an entire game for once.

Chase Utley hit a go-ahead RBI single in the 10th inning and the Phillies beat Florida 6-4 on Saturday night, handing the Marlins their fifth straight loss.

Philadelphia trailed 3-0 before it scored seven times in the ninth inning to beat Florida 7-3 on Friday night. Florida led 4-3 on Saturday night before Philadelphia tied it in the ninth on pinch-hitter Eric Bruntlett's run-scoring groundout.

All eight of the Phillies' wins have been come-from-behind victories.

"Scoring late is not a bad way to play if you score enough, but you don't want to play like that every night," said Manuel, who was ejected by plate umpire Ed Montague with two out in the bottom of the 10th for arguing balls and strikes.

Shane Victorino got Saturday night's rally started with a one-out single off Logan Kensing (0-1), who was designated for assignment after the game.

Victorino stole second and scored when Utley lined a shot past shortstop Hanley Ramirez and into center field. Utley moved to third on Ryan Howard's base hit and scored on Jayson Werth's single to make it 6-4.

"You've got to find a way to win, whether it's the home run or small ball," Victorino said.

Ryan Madson (2-1) pitched a scoreless ninth and Brad Lidge worked out of a bases-loaded situation in the 10th to earn his fourth save in five opportunities.

Jorge Cantu and Dan Uggla homered on consecutive pitches for the Marlins, who are stuck in their longest skid since they lost eight straight from Aug. 15-22, 2007.

"It's difficult (losing late), but we did it to Washington," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "Hopefully we don't get it repeated tomorrow."

Howard and pitcher Chan Ho Park homered for the Phillies. Park's homer was his first since 2000.

"I have three home runs in my career and they were all opposite field," Park said.

Chris Volstad allowed three runs, two earned, and four hits in seven innings for Florida. He struck out six, walked one and hit a batter with a pitch.

The Marlins scored four times in the fourth to erase a 2-0 deficit. Cantu hit a three-run shot and Uggla went deep on Park's next pitch.

Park gave up four runs and five hits in seven innings. He retired the last eight batters he faced.

Park connected with one out in the third to give the Phillies a 1-0 lead. It was Park's third career homer and first since Sept. 29, 2000, for the Los Angeles Dodgers off Woody Williams at San Diego.

Florida closer Matt Lindstrom was unavailable one night after throwing 38 pitches and surrendering a career-high seven runs.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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