In the rubber match of this Marlins-Phillies series, big Joe took the mound against big Z, Carlos Zambrano. Blanton was looking to redeem himself from his past couple of starts in which he was lit up. He is 4-5 this year with a 5.05 ERA. Zambrano is 3-3 this year with a 3.00 ERA.
Miami put up two runs with a pair of solo home runs early on. In the third, it was Carlos Zambrano who launched a 418 ft. homer to left field, his 24th of his career. Hanley Ramirez continued his hot streak in Philly with a wallop into the flower beds in left field.
The Phillies' offense had nothing going for four straight innings before Juan Pierre got on base with a bunt double in the sixth. However, he wouldn't be sent home. Not good.
Jose Reyes caused more damage to Blanton's ERA and BABIP with a two-run double to the gap in right-center field. Zambrano moved over to third base, putting two men in scoring position with no outs. This would bring in Chad Qualls, obviously.
Blanton's line: 6 IP, 9 H, 4 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 88 pitches (64 for strikes). His ERA is now at 5.14.
Zambrano scored on a wild pitch, followed by a fielder's choice which got Reyes out at home. Giancarlo Stanton singled to center, and that would be it for Chad Qualls.
With two outs, Jake Diekman came in and recorded the final out quickly.
Through seven innings, the Phillies had piled on a whopping total of two hits. Both were from Juan Pierre. Against Carlos Zambrano. Yup.
Brian Schneider reached on an infield single to shortstop in the eighth, and moved to second on a wild pitch from big Z. The hot-hitting Pierre drove a single up the middle to score Schneider, putting the Phillies on the board. Zambrano was replaced by Steve Cishek after that who retired the side.
Michael Schwimer pitched a 1-2-3 9-pitch inning thanks to some outstanding defense from Juan Pierre and Hunter Pence. Cishek remained in the ballgame in the ninth, and the Phils finally cracked him down. After two straight singles, Heath Bell replaced Cishek with one out.
Freddy Galvis hit into what should have been a game-ending double play, but Reyes couldn't handle Polanco literally sweeping him off his feet. But, Schneider would be the one to end the ballgame on a groundout.
And…that would be all. Marlins take two of three from the Phillies. Dodgers are in town for a four-game series which will start with Vance Worley fresh off the disabled list tomorrow at 7:05
