By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Final: Phillies 8, Marlins 0 ❖ Attendance: 24,597
PHILADELPHIA — Behind their eight-run, 11-hit offensive outburst and a shutout performance from veteran RHP Jeremy Hellickson, the Philadelphia Phillies (67-82) moved the Miami Marlins (73-75) further away from Wild Card contention with their 8-0 victory Saturday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
With the victory, the Phillies secured their seventh consecutive winning season against the Marlins dating back to 2010. It was Hellickson's third career complete game and his first since Sept. 4, 2011, with the Tampa Bay Rays. In recording his 12th victory, it is the most by a Phillies pitcher in a single season since 2013 when southpaw Cliff Lee won 14, notes Meghan Montemurro.
Marlins starter RHP Jose Urena lasted just two innings with seven runs surrendered on as many hits and two walks. Hellickson, on the other hand, allowed only three hits with five strikeouts.
Scoring got underway for the Phillies early in the bottom of the first. Two batters after second baseman Cesar Hernandez hit a leadoff single, center fielder Odubel Herrera doubled him home for the game's first run. Rookie first baseman Tommy Joseph then singled to right to set up a RBI double to left by third baseman Maikel Franco. Three batters later with the bases loaded, catcher A.J. Ellis hit a three-RBI double to left to give the Phillies a 5-0 lead.
The rally against Urena resumed in the bottom of the second. With Herrera on first, Joseph hit a two-run blast to center, his 20th of the season, to put the Phillies on top 7-0.
Tommy Joseph's 20th HR in 315th PA.
Since 1995 only 4 rookies hit 20+ in <375 PA: George Springer, Garrett Jones, Chris Duncan, Ryan Howard
— Corey Seidman (@CoreySeidmanCSN) September 17, 2016
Two innings later, facing southpaw Justin Nicolino, Franco brought home the Phillies' eighth run with a RBI groundout to shortstop Miguel Rojas.
Game Notes:
- First baseman Ryan Howard was a late scratch with fluid buildup in his left knee. He is day-to-day. First baseman Tommy Joseph took advantage of the opportunity with his second inning home run, making him the first Phillie since Howard in 2005 (22) to record 20 or more home runs in a rookie season, notes Ryan M. Spaeder.
#Phillies rookies with 20+ HR
2016 Tommy Joseph
2005 Ryan Howard
1997 Scott Rolen
1971 Willie Montanez
1969 Larry Hisle
1964 Dick Allen— Ryan M. Spaeder (@theaceofspaeder) September 17, 2016
- With 67 wins through 149 games, the Phillies are on pace to finish with 73 victories for the season. The last time the Phillies finished with 73 or more victories was 2014 (73-89).
- The outing was Hellickson's 30th start in red pinstripes and his projected last appearance at Citizens Bank Park this season, where he was 7-4 with a 3.16 ERA through 16 starts.
- RISP: MIA 0-4, PHI 4-10; Team LOB: MIA 3, PHI 8
The Phillies will go for their sixth series sweep of the season Sunday afternoon as RHP Alec Asher opposes RHP Andrew Cashner. (Time: 1:35 p.m.; TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP).
