Phillies Avoid Series Loss; Defeat Marlins 5-3

Posted by Danielle Wilson

Phillies fans were overwhelmed with emotions tonight; frustration, anger, hatred towards the runs that didn't score early on, excitement, joy, more hatred once Kendrick came in, relief when Kyle made it out of the eighth inning alive, and more excitement in the last few minutes of the game. 

Hanley Ramirez homered off of Cliff Lee to give the Marlins an 1-0 lead in the first inning. This is where it got frustrating, due to the fact that another run wouldn't score for five more innings.

In the fifth, Brian Schneider was rounding third when he appeared to be limping, and we later found out that he had pulled his left hamstring. Just what this team needs, another injury! Luckily, Carlos Ruiz is expected to be activated from the disabled list on Friday.

Cliff Lee went six innings, giving up three earned runs on seven hits, striking out four.

The Phillies finally got a lucky break in the seventh inning. After a lead off double hit by Raul Ibanez off of Ricky Nolasco, Sardinha reached on a fielding error by Sanchez, and Pete Orr (pinch hitting for Valdez) doubled and scored Raul. Ross Gload came in to pinch hit for Cliff Lee, and grounded out to score Dane Sardinha. 3-2 Marlins.

J.C. Romero pitched a scoreless seventh, and Kyle Kendrick pitched a scoreless eighth. Shane Victorino went yard in the eighth, his sixth of the year, which tied the game at three a piece.

In the ninth with Leo Nunez on the mound, Sardinha singled, Pete Orr doubled, and Jimmy Rollins delivered the game changing 2-run single, which pushed the Phillies to a 5-3 lead.

Ryan Madson came in to close it out and retired the side, striking out two. Phillies take the series in Miami with Kendrick getting the win, and Madson getting the save.

The Phillies will head up to Atlanta to start a three-game series on Friday against the Braves. Cole Hamels will take the mound against Brandon Beachy.