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Phils score seven in ninth to rally past Marlins

Apr 25, 2009 - 3:52 AM MIAMI (AP) -- Facing a wild Matt Lindstrom in the ninth inning, Shane Victorino wanted to avoid taking a 98-mph fastball in the ribs.

He hit a game-deciding grand slam instead.

Victorino's two-out homer highlighted a seven-run rally in the ninth Friday against closer Lindstrom, and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Florida Marlins, 7-3.

The Marlins took a three-hitter into the ninth and were two outs from a 3-0 victory when pinch hitter Matt Stairs singled home the Phillies' first run. Lindstrom walked in a run before Victorino hit his second homer of the year on a 2-1 pitch.

Victorino's only other grand slam came in the playoffs last year to beat Milwaukee and C.C. Sabathia. How did the homers compare?

"They're both big," Victorino said. "A home run is a home run for a little guy like me. It's not like I hit many."

The Marlins still own the best record in the National League at 11-5, but they have lost four games in a row and fell to 8-1 when they score first.

"It's a deflating feeling, especially for the guys that worked so hard the whole game, to come in there and blow it," Lindstrom said. "This is going to be a test for me."

Dan Uggla hit a three-run homer with two out in the first off Brett Myers for Florida's only runs. The Phillies have given up at least one homer in all 15 games, extending a major league record to start the season.

Clay Condrey (3-0) pitched two hitless innings, and Ryan Madson struck out the side in the ninth.

The game drew 29,032 spectators, including 1,540 dogs on Bark in the Park Night, and it was a ruff one for the hard-throwing Lindstrom. The Phillies had totaled five hits and one run over a 17-inning stretch when they snapped the slump against him in the ninth.

Jayson Werth doubled with one out, and after a walk, Stairs singled. Lou Marson walked to load the bases, and after a strikeout, Jimmy Rollins walked to force in a run.

Lindstrom went to 1-1 on Victorino, then backed him off the plate with an inside fastball.

"I said, 'OK, let me not get hit in my ribs, but somewhere else,'" Victorino said. "I'm just trying to get a hit, walk, whatever."

The next pitch was another fastball, and when Victorino pulled it into the right field stands, Lindstrom (1-1) was showered with boos. They grew louder five pitches later when Chase Utley also homered.

Lindstrom, who became the Marlins' closer in September, gave up four hits and three walks in two-thirds of an inning and blew a save for the second time in five chances. His ERA rose from 1.50 to 9.45.

"It's a good learning experience for him," manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "You can't walk runners in the ninth inning."

Florida's Josh Johnson allowed three hits in seven scoreless innings, struck out eight and lowered his ERA to 2.20. He failed to improve to 3-0 only because of Lindstrom's meltdown.

"It happens," Johnson said. "You don't want it to happen, but it does. He has been great for us. It's not fun to see, but he'll be back tomorrow and ready to go."

Myers exercised in the clubhouse as the Phillies staged their rally, and he tried not to watch the TV too closely.

"It's best if I don't get too excited," he said. "If I do, something not good will happen. When we hit the homer, then you can get excited because you have the lead."

Uggla hit his third homer with two out in the first to end an 0-for-21 slump, the longest hitless streak of his career. He has four homers in 33 at-bats against Myers.

The Phillies' righthander found himself in frequent trouble the rest of the way but allowed no more runs before departing after throwing 119 pitches in six innings. That set the stage for the comeback, and Philadelphia won for the second time after trailing to start the ninth.

"We don't quit," manager Charlie Manuel said. "We always stay at it."

Notes: Marlins 1B Jorge Cantu again sat out with a bruised left wrist but said he hopes to return Saturday. He received a cortisone shot Wednesday. ... The Marlins claimed LHP Dave Davidson off waivers from the Pittsburgh Pirates and optioned him to Triple-A New Orleans. ... The Marlins won 10 of 18 games against the Phillies last year.