After falling behind 3-2 in the fifth, the Phillies (5-9) scored two runs in the sixth and three in the seventh en route to a 7-3 win over the Marlins (3-11). Freddy Galvis and Ryan Howard both hit two-run home runs to help power the Phillies offense.
How They Scored:
For the first time in what seems like forever, the Phillies scored first. In the second inning, Ryan Howard worked a one-out walk. Two batters later, Freddy Galvis hit a line drive home run just over the fence in right field for a 2-0 lead. Trailing 3-2 in the sixth, Cody Asche hit a single to keep the inning alive with two outs. Ryan Howard gave the Phillies a 4-3 lead with a two-run home run to center field, his first long ball of the season. The Phils added on some insurance in the seventh. Jeff Francoeur hit a pinch-hit double and Odubel Herrera followed with an infield single. Ben Revere came up with runners on the corners and hit a two-run triple in the right-center field gap to make it a 6-3 game. Chase Utley hit a sac fly to drive in Revere, extending the lead to four at 7-3.
The Marlins got their first run of the game in the fourth. Giancarlo Stanton launched a solo home run into Miami's bullpen in centerfield to cut the Phillies lead in half, 2-1. Adeiny Hechavarria tied things up with an RBI-single in the fifth and a Ryan Howard fielding error allowed another Marlins run to score, making it a 3-2 lead for them.
Starter's Report:
Jerome Williams didn't look great, but he wasn't bad either. He may have given up eight hits, but he worked out of some jams to limit the damage. He lasted six innings and gave up three runs, two of which were earned. He struck out six and walked one. At this point, his ERA stands at 3.71. Tonight's start is probably what we will get from Williams most of the season, which is pretty much what is expected of him anyways.
Dan Haren entered the game with an ERA just above two, but after giving up four runs in six innings, it raised to 3.32. Despite giving up the two, two-run home runs, Haren had the strikeout pitch working, tallying seven strikeouts on the night.
Out of the Pen:
Luis Garcia relieved Jerome Williams in the seventh and tossed a shutout innings, allowing one hit while striking out two. He's yet to allow a run in seven innings of work this season. Ken Giles pitched a scoreless eighth and Jonathan Papelbon fanned two Marlins batters in a perfect ninth inning.
Mike Dunn came on for Dan Haren in the seventh and gave up three runs on three hits. Nick Masset set the Phillies down in order in the eighth.
At the Plate:
Ryan Howard went 2-for-3 at the plate with the go-ahead two-run homer, a walk and two runs scored. He raised his average to .209 on the year after hanging out below the Mendoza line through the first 14 games. Freddy Galvis is hitting .319 on the season after going 1-for-3 with a two-run homer and a run scored. Odubel Herrera got a hit in four at-bats. His average sits at .298. Carlos Ruiz and Chase Utley were a combined 0-for-6.
For the Marlins, Giancarlo Stanton went 2-for-4 with a home run. Ichiro contributed with two hits and a run scored in his four at-bats.
Post-Game Thoughts:
I wasn't impressed at all by Jerome Williams, but tip of the cap to him for working around some sticky situations to keep the Phillies in the game. The Phillies offense looked good tonight. When they lost the lead, 3-2, I figured that would be the end of the scoring for our end, but boy was I wrong. Freddy Galvis continues to hit the ball well, smacking a line drive home run for the early lead, and it was really nice to see Ryan Howard hit a homer as well. Hopefully he continues to swing the bat well after tonight. Ben Revere put the nail in the coffin for the Marlins with a two-run triple in the seventh. The Phillies would like him to start hitting, so him and Odubel Herrera can create some major issues for opposing teams this season at the top of the order.
Up Next:
The Phillies and Marlins continue their series on Wednesday night as Cole Hamels (0-2, 5.00) will look to put together a quality start against former Phils prospect, Jarred Cosart (0-1, 4.76).
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
