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Dobbs, Phillies move back on top in NL East

Sep 21, 2008 - 4:01 AM By Christopher Stock PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (Ticker) -- Shane Victorino homered and Greg Dobbs delivered the go-ahead RBI as the Philadelphia Phillies posted a 3-2 victory over the Florida Marlins on Saturday.

With the win, Philadelphia (87-68) took a one-half game lead in the National League East over the New York Mets (86-68), who lost at Atlanta.

"It was sitting right there in front of us," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "But I tell you what, we sweated every bit of it out. It seemed like a long mental task, but we withstood it. It was a very good ballgame for both teams."

Four Phillies relievers - Chad Durbin, J.C. Romero, Ryan Madson, and Brad Lidge - combined to throw four scoreless innings. Lidge pitched the ninth to record his 39th save in 39 opportunities.

"The bullpen did an outstanding job, and that's why we won the game," Lidge said. "A lot of times our offense wins the game, not tonight. When we are able to keep a team that hot to two runs, we are feeling pretty good about what we did."

Phillies starter Joe Blanton (3-0) pitched five innings and struck out nine while allowing two runs. The hefty righthander also yielded four hits and two walks en route to ending the Marlins' nine-game winning streak.

The loss dropped Florida (81-73) to five games behind the New York Mets (86-68) in the wild card race with eight games remaining.

"Obviously it's one we needed," Marlins left fielder Josh Willingham said.

Philadelphia took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on an RBI single by Chase Utley as Carlos Ruiz and Blanton each reached base on errors by third baseman Jorge Cantu and pitcher Anibal Sanchez, respectively.

Florida 's Alfredo Amezaga and rookie Cameron Maybin singled in the bottom of the third before John Baker laced a double down the right-field line, scoring both for a 2-1 lead.

Victorino's home run - his 14th - off of Sanchez tied the game at 2-2 in the fourth. It was Victorino' second homer in as many days.

Ryan Howard and Pat Burrell each walked with one out in the sixth. After Sanchez (2-5) struck out Victorino, Dobbs hit a soft fly ball that dropped in for a single and plated Howard for the go-ahead run.

"He's been hot," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "I like the way he plays defense. But at the same time, when we're not scoring runs, that's why I like to use Dobbs."

While facing the next batter, Sanchez left the game with a leg cramp. Logan Kensing relieved him and immediately walked Ruiz to load the bases. Mark Hendrickson replaced Kensing and got Tadahito Iguchi to fly out to end the inning.

Sanchez pitched 5 2/3 innings, allowing three runs - two earned - and four hits while walking three. He tied a career-high with eight strikeouts.

"I felt good," Sanchez said. "I just tried to think about my last start and stay ahead in the count all of the time."

The Marlins' best opportunity to tie the game came in the eighth as Cantu led off the inning with a single and Mike Jacobs followed with a double off Madson. Dan Uggla then hit a grounder to Dobbs at third base, who threw home to get Cantu at the plate.

"I had a good view on that because I was on deck," Willing ham said. "The throw was a little high, and from my view point his foot - it was really close. But it looked like he tagged him up on the knee, which means his foot might have gotten in there. Most of the time when the ball beats you, they call you out. It's just kind of the way it is."

Willingham grounded out and Cody Ross struck out to end the inning.

"We had our opportunities. We had a lot of opportunities, we just couldn't get that big hit when we needed to," Ross said.