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Gload helps Phils take opener against Florida

May 10, 2011 - 4:35 AM Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Ross Gload went 2-for-3 with two runs batted in, helping the Philadelphia Phillies defeat the Florida Marlins, 6-4, in the opener of a three-game series.

Jimmy Rollins went 2-for-5 with a solo homer and two runs scored for the Phillies, who lost two of three games to the Braves over the weekend. Ryan Howard and Placido Polanco each had an RBI and run scored.

Fresh off the DL, Joe Blanton (1-1) gave up three runs on eight hits over five innings to pick up his first win of the season. Blanton had been sidelined with medial impingement in his right elbow.

"The team played great behind me," Blanton said. "I was able to get some ground balls when I needed them. I think Jimmy [Rollins] and Pete [Orr] did a fantastic job turning them. I think Polly [Placido Polanco] got one, too. They really saved me."

Gaby Sanchez went 3-for-4 with a solo homer and three RBI for the Marlins, who have lost four of five. Chris Coghlan went 3-for-4 with an RBI and run scored.

Javier Vazquez (2-3) lasted just 4 1/3 frames, allowing six runs -- five earned -- on nine hits to take the loss.

"I wish had an explanation for you guys, but I have nothing," Vazquez said. "It's just frustrating. I'm embarrassed with the way I'm throwing. That's all I got, man."

Each team came out swinging the bats. Rollins led off the game with a blast to right that hit off Mike Stanton's glove and over the wall. Howard hit a two-out double to right, but was thrown out at the plate on Raul Ibanez's base hit.

Florida responded with two runs in the home first. Coghlan singled, moved to second on a groundout, and advanced to third on Hanley Ramirez's single. Sanchez followed with a two-run double off the wall in left-center field.

The Marlins tacked on a run in the second for a 3-1 lead. Omar Infante hit a one-out single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and scored on Coghlan's base hit to left.

But Philadelphia used a three-run third to go in front for good. Blanton, Rollins and Polanco all singled to load the bases with one out. Howard then hit an RBI single to right. Two batters later, Gload plated Rollins with a base hit to left. A high throw sailed over catcher John Buck's head. Polanco, who was initially held at third, sprinted home. Vazquez covered the plate, but dropped Buck's throw. Polanco scored on the error to give Philly a 4-3 edge.

The Phillies added two more runs in the fifth for a 6-3 margin. Shane Victorino led off with a triple to right and scored on Polanco's sac fly. Howard walked to chase Vazquez from the game. Edward Mujica immediately gave up consecutive singles to Ibanez and Gload to plate another run.

Sanchez led off the eighth with a homer to left to make it a two-run contest.

Ryan Madson tossed a scoreless ninth for his fourth save of the season.

Game Notes

The Phillies have won 11 of the past 13 meetings with the Marlins and are 16-3 in Florida since the start of the 2009 season...Mujica tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings before leaving the game with a left knee strain. He was carted off the field...Blanton improved to 6-2 lifetime against Florida...Vazquez fell to 12-9 in his career against Philadelphia...The Phillies started an eight-game road trip on Monday...Victorino extended his hitting streak to 12 games...Philadelphia's Vance Worley gave up one run on two hits over three innings...The Phillies turned four double plays.