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Marlins blow lead, lose in extras as Phils sweep DH

Jun 16, 2011 - 5:30 AM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - A victory over Roy Halladay would have set the table to overcome a June swoon. Instead the Florida Marlins found another way to lose.

Carlos Ruiz's run-scoring single in the 10th inning propelled the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-4 victory, sending Florida to its 14th loss in 15 games this month.

Leo Nunez blew the save by allowing two runs in the ninth, then Michael Dunn (4-5) could not hold the red-hot Phillies down in the 10th. Ryan Madson (3-1) was the benefactor, escaping some trouble in the top of the frame to complete the doubleheader sweep and lead the home team to its season-high sixth straight win.

"When our top four guys are hitting the ball, we get more chances (to score)," said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.

The Phillies won the early game, 8-1, behind seven strong innings from Kyle Kendrick and a three-run home run from Jimmy Rollins. The difference in the nightcap was a late rally, including a two-run, two-out single off the bat of Shane Victorino in the ninth.

In that inning, Ruiz and pinch-hitter Ross Gload each singled before Rollins smoked a pitch off Nunez's shin and straight to Gaby Sanchez at first for the second out. Victorino then delivered, slapping a two-run single to center to square the contest.

Howard was hit by a pitch to lead off the 10th then Domonic Brown worked a two-out walk in front of Ruiz's single, which found its way into center field.

"Good teams find a way [to win]. Not so good teams find a way to lose it," Marlins outfielder Logan Morrison said matter-of-factly. "I don't think we're a very good team right now. We have to figure it out."

Madson walked two batters in the top of the frame, but wiggled out of the jam to preserve the tie, one that looked unlikely as the Marlins got to the Philadelphia ace.

Florida jumped on Halladay in the first, as Hanley Ramirez drew chalk with a two-bagger that hopped into the left-field corner, then Florida succeeded at baseball's "get-him-over, get-him-in" strategy. A grounder to second moved Ramirez to third and Morrison's slow roller to first allowed Ramirez to score the first run. Sanchez followed the small-ball routine with a long ball, driving a thigh-high fastball over the out-of-town scoreboard in right-center field for a 2-0 lead.

Like it did in the first two games of the series, Philadelphia came right back in the home first, as Chase Utley's double to left scored Rollins.

Both pitchers settled down until the fourth when several softly-hit balls from the visitors found real estate. Greg Dobbs' looping double snuck in front of a sliding Raul Ibanez down the left-field line then Jose Lopez's liner tipped off the top of Ibanez's glove for a double. Buck then punched a breaking ball nearly off the ground and into center field, plating both runners for a 4-1 game.

The Phillies cut the deficit to two runs in the fifth as Utley's quick swing produced a line-drive into the right-center field gap, allowing Victorino to score as Utley raced around for a triple. He was there with one out, but Howard struck out and Placido Polanco lined out to end the threat.

Anibal Sanchez threw a lot of pitches early, but navigated seven frames, giving up two runs on four hits with six strikeouts and four walks.

Game Notes

Halladay was charged with four runs on six hits while fanning eight. He gave up two first-inning runs after yielding just three in his previous 14 starts...Victorino finished with three hits, two runs scored and two stolen bases in the doubleheader...The day featured six hours, 11 minutes of baseball...Sanchez's earned run average sits at 3.02.