By Matt Leon

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – The Phillies opened this three-game series in Miami with a dominant pitching performance from left-hander Cole Hamels in a 4-0 win.  It was the second straight victory for the Phillies and they will try for a third straight victory tonight.

On the mound for the Phillies, it will be right-hander Kyle Kendrick.  He is just 4-9 this season with a 4.86 ERA and last time out the Braves torched him for six runs in just 3 1/3 innings of work.  That performance featured a 50-pitch second inning.  Now Kendrick has had success in his career against the Marlins, going 8-2 in 17 games.

Miami starts right-hander Josh Johnson tonight.  He is 7-8 in 2012 and 6-4 in his career against the Phillies.  He beat the Phillies in his last appearance against them on June 29th of this season(6 IP, 1 ER), but back on April 11th the Phils lit Johnson up for 6 runs on 11 hits in 3 2/3 innings in a 7-1 win.

The Phillies are now 53-62 on the season and they lead the last place Marlins by a game and a half for 4th place in the National League East.  Philadelphia trails the first-pace Nationals by 18 1/2 games.

KYW’s Matt Leon spoke with Bill Baer of Crashburn Alley about the Phillies and tonight’s match-up.

You can follow Matt on Twitter @mattleonkyw.