The Sports Xchange
Jul 18, 2017
MIAMI -- Maikel Franco's home run overshadowed another shot by Giancarlo Stanton as the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the Miami Marlins 5-2 on Tuesday night at Marlins Park.
Franco's solo blast to left-center field broke a 2-2 tie in the eighth inning. It was his 14th homer of the season and his fourth this month. His past three homers have broken deadlocks.
Marlins reliever Dustin McGowan (5-1), who gave up the homer to Franco, took the loss.
All-Star reliever Pat Neshek (3-2) threw one scoreless inning to earn the win for the Phillies (31-61), who have the worst record in the majors. Hector Neris tossed a perfect ninth inning for his ninth save.
Miami (42-50) was powered by Stanton, who leads the National League with 29 homers. His homer in the first inning might have been a two-run shot had it not been for a call that was overturned.
Dee Gordon, batting one spot ahead of Stanton, beat out an infield single but the call was changed upon video review.
Neither starter earned a decision.
Marlins left-hander Adam Conley allowed two runs in six innings in his first start since returning from Triple-A New Orleans.
Phillies right-hander Vince Velasquez allowed two runs, one earned, in six innings in his first start since he was placed on the disabled list on May 30 due to an elbow injury.
For the second game in a row, Stanton provided the first score with a homer. This time it was a solo blast to left that was measured at 442 feet, with an exit velocity of 111 mph.
The Phillies evened it at 1-1 in the second on an RBI single by Cameron Perkins. They might have scored more but Franco was thrown out at home on the front end of an unusual double play.
Miami took a 2-1 lead in the third. Velasquez barehanded a swinging bunt by JT Riddle but threw wildly past first baseman Tommy Joseph. Riddle wound up at third on a two-base error. On the next pitch, catcher Cameron Rupp failed to backhand a low throw and Riddle scored on the passed ball.
Philadelphia tied the score 2-2 in the fourth. Odubel Herrera walked on a 3-2 pitch, advanced to second on a wild pitch and to third on a single to left by Rupp. Herrera scored on Perkins' bunt single between the mound and first base.
Nick Williams hit a two-run homer in the ninth inning to provide the final margin.
NOTES: Marlins RHP Dan Straily (hand) will make his scheduled start in Wednesday's series finale. ... Marlins RHP Drew Steckenrider, who won his first major league game Monday night, was sent to Triple-A New Orleans to make room for Tuesday's starter, LHP Adam Conley. ... Phillies rookie RF Nick Williams was moved to third in the batting order for just the second time this season. ... Phillies RHP Luis Garcia has a career-best scoreless streak of 15 1/3 innings, dating to June 14. Batters are hitting just .132 against him during that stretch (7-for-53), and his streak as of Tuesday morning was the second-longest active run in the majors.