Altherr, Ruf Homer In 9th To Lift Phillies Over Marlins
MIAMI (AP) — Aaron Altherr and Darin Ruf hit back-to-back solo home runs in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 4-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Saturday night.
The Phillies scored two runs in the top of the eighth, sparked by Darnell Sweeney's first major league hit, a pinch-hit, solo homer that brought Philadelphia within 2-1. Andres Blanco's RBI double made it 2-2.
Altherr broke the tie with a homer off A.J. Ramos (1-4). Ruf followed with a homer on the next pitch to give the Phillies back-to-back home runs for the first time this season.
Elvis Araujo (2-1) got the final out of the eighth inning to earn the win. Ken Giles pitched a perfect ninth for his ninth save in 12 chances.
Six of the Phillies' nine hits and all four runs came after the seventh inning. The Phillies came into the game 4-68 on the season when trailing after seven innings.
Marlins starter Justin Nicolino was in complete control with a 2-0 lead and two outs in the eighth. Sweeney made it 2-1 and Cesar Hernandez followed with a single ending Nicolino's night. Bryan Morris came on in relief and allowed a game-tying double to Blanco.
Nicolino pitched a career-high 7 2-3 innings allowing two runs and five hits. He struck out four and walked one.
The Marlins had a chance to go-ahead in the bottom of the eighth when Martin Prado doubled and Justin Bour walked, but pinch-hitter Casey McGehee grounded out to end the inning.
Aaron Harang walked three batters in the third inning and the Marlins took advantage of the bases-loaded situation as Derek Dietrich hit a two-run double to center field.
Harang settled down after that and retired the final 13 batters he faced. He allowed two runs and two hits in seven innings.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: RHP Jarred Cosart (ear) had a rehab start with the GCL Marlins on Saturday throwing four scoreless innings. "A very promising report so good to hear," Marlins manager Dan Jennings said. The plan is for Cosart to have two more rehab starts before returning to the big league club.
UP NEXT
Phillies: RHP Aaron Nola (3-1, 4.41 ERA) will take the mound in Sunday's series finale. Nola has won his last three decisions over five starts.
Marlins: LHP Adam Conley (1-0, 5.82) will be looking to get through five innings for the first time in three starts.
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