Final: Phillies 6, Marlins 3
WP: Ken Giles (4-2, 1.82 ERA) LP: Bryan Morris (3-2, 3.38 ERA)
Philadelphia, PA - Thanks to a strong outing from rookie southpaw Adam Morgan, and clutch, late hitting from Jeff Francoeur, the Philadelphia Phillies (30-62) were able to snap their five-game losing streak by defeating the Miami Marlins (38-52) in Friday night's series opener.
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
| Marlins | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 9 | 2 |
| Phillies | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | X | 6 | 7 | 0 |
The Marlins jumped out on top first in the top of the fourth inning. With runners on the corners and two outs, first baseman Justin Bour hit a RBI-single to center field to bring home the game's first run for either sides.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, Morgan led-off with his first major league hit, a double over the head of left fielder Michael Morse. This was just the Phillies' second hit of the night, the first being a two-out single by third baseman Maikel Franco in the bottom of the first.
Center fielder Ben Revere followed with a bunt single, and second baseman Cesar Hernandez reached on a fielding error by Bour to load the bases.
Franco just missed hitting a grand slam off Fernandez, but he still produced nonetheless in a must-score situation, by grounding into a double-play to score Morgan from third base. The next batter, first baseman Ryan Howard, hit a RBI-single to give the Phillies a 2-1 advantage heading into the seventh inning.
In the top of the seventh, Morgan was pulled with one out recorded and a runner on first base. Later in the inning in relief, right hander Luis Garcia allowed a game-tying double to center fielder Cole Gillespie, his sixth of the season. This charged a second run to Morgan's line, which was already penned-in at four hits and three walks allowed.
With Fernandez out of the game, the Phillies capitalized against the Marlins' bullpen in the bottom of the eighth to pull ahead, 6-2. With two runners on, a misplay by Gillespie in center field, off the bat of Franco, allowed the go-ahead run to score for Philadelphia.
Two batters later, Jeff Francoeur delivered with a pinch-hit, three-run blast to left field. This was his seventh home run of the season, and the first home run off the bench in his 11-year career.
Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon entered in the ninth, his first appearance since July 7. Francoeur's three-run home run put the game out of a save situation, however. Papelbon's last save came during the second game of the June 28 double-header with the Washington Nationals.
Catcher J.T. Realmuto hit a solo-shot off Papelbon, but that was not enough to complete a comeback as the Phillies snapped their multi-game losing skid. This was Papelbon's seventh earned run, and third home run allowed this season over 33 appearances and 34.2 innings. He only allowed two home runs last season over 66.1 innings.
Starting Pitchers
| IP | H | R | ER | BB | SO | HR | ERA | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jose Fernandez | 6.0 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 2.37 |
| Adam Morgan | 6.1 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 3.91 |
- Fernandez: ND; 70 pitches, 48 strikes; 9 groundouts, 1 flyout; 23 faced batters
- Morgan: ND; 85 pitches, 54 strikes; 5 groundouts, 5 flyouts; 23 faced batters
Out of the 'Pen
Marlins
- Bryan Morris (7th, 8th): 1.1 IP, 1 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 3.38 ERA
- Carter Capps* (8th): 0.0 IP, 0 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 1.42 ERA
- Mike Dunn (8th): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 1 HR, 4.25 ERA
* Capps pitched to one batter in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Phillies
- Luis Garcia (7th): 0.2 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 0 HR, 3.70 ERA
- Ken Giles (8th): 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 SO, 0 HR, 1.82 ERA
- Jonathan Papelbon (9th): 1.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 0 SO, 1 HR, 1.82 ERA
At the Plate
Marlins
- Justin Bour: 2-4, RBI, .273 AVG
- J.T. Realmuto: 1-4, 2 R, HR, RBI, .247 AVG
Phillies
- Ryan Howard: 1-4, RBI, .226 AVG
- Jeff Francoeur: 1-1, R, HR, 3 RBI, .249 AVG
- Adam Morgan: 1-2, R, 2B, .111 AVG
What's Next:
- Saturday, July 18, 2015: vs. Miami Marlins, 7:05 pm
- RHP Tom Koehler (7-5, 3.40 ERA) vs. RHP Chad Billingsley (1-3, 6.75 ERA)
- TV: NBC10; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
- Sunday, July 19, 2015: vs. Miami Marlins, 1:35 pm
- RHP Dan Haren (7-5, 3.24 ERA) vs. LHP Cole Hamels (5-7, 3.63 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680 (Sp.)
Matt Rappa (@mattrappasports) is managing editor of Philliedelphia.com.
