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Phillies continue fight for playoff spot against Marlins

Sep 20, 2008 - 10:12 AM Philadelphia (86-68) at Florida (81-72), 7:10 pm EDT

MIAMI (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Phillies desperately need a torrid stretch akin to the Florida Marlins' current one.

Fighting for their playoff lives, the Phillies will try to halt the Marlins' nine-game winning streak on Saturday.

Florida won the opener, 14-8, to drop the Phillies one-half game behind the New York Mets (86-67) in the National League East. Philadelphia had won seven straight entering the series, but starter Brett Myers struggled, giving up five runs in the first 17 pitches before retiring a batter.

Philadelphia has a two-game lead in the wild-card race over the Milwaukee Brewers (84-70), but Florida's winning streak has moved it, surprisingly, within 4 1/2 games in that hunt.

The Marlins have been sparked by rookie outfielder Cameron Maybin, who had four hits for the second game in a row on Friday, tying a franchise record by reaching base in 10 consecutive appearances.

Maybin, a key component to the trade that sent Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Detroit Tigers, was called up from the minors on Tuesday and is batting .818 (9-for-11).

Florida sends Anibal Sanchez (2-4, 5.87 ERA), who is 0-3 with a 10.69 ERA in four career starts against the Phillies, to the mound.

The 24-year-old righthander is coming off a solid start against the Washington Nationals on Sunday, where he yielded three runs - two earned - and four hits over seven innings, but didn't factor in the decision.

Philadelphia counters with Joe Blanton (2-0, 4.53), who has surrendered three runs or less in six of his last 10 outings. Since being traded by the Oakland Athletics, he has pitched at least seven innings in three of his 11 starts.