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MLB


Marlins Use Long Ball, Cantu's Knock To Down Phils In Extras

POSTED: 10:57 pm EDT July 20, 2008

(Sports Network) - Jorge Cantu drove in the game-winning run in the 11th inning to propel the Marlins to a 3-2 comeback win in 11 innings over the Phillies in the rubber match of their three-game series at Dolphin Stadium.

Alfredo Amezaga led off the bottom of the 11th with a single, and following a Hanley Ramirez walk, Jeremy Hermida attempted a sacrifice bunt which was botched by pitcher Clay Condrey, loading the bases with nobody out. Cantu promptly came up and drove a ball off the left field wall for the game-winning single.

"(It's) unbelievable man. We got the Mets, these guys (the) Phillies, we (are) in a really really tight race," Cantu said. "You got out there expecting to win. That's what it's all about. We're all right there. It's so much fun. I've never been in something like this."

Josh Johnson was making his second start since coming back from Tommy John surgery, and threw 6 2/3 solid innings -- his longest outing since August 2006 -- giving up two runs and seven hits while striking out four and walking three.

Hermida and Cody Ross each added a solo home run for the Marlins, who have won six of eight. Doug Waechter (2-2) got the win after throwing a scoreless 11th inning.

"(Cole Hamels) gave me a pitch out over the plate and I just put a good swing on it and luckily it went over the fence," Hermida said. "It was a big run for us. Thats our approach. Everybody just wants to chip in. Nobody has a big ego in here. Everybody just wants to help each other out and we feed off that."

Hamels failed again to get his 10th win, but still turned in a fine performance by throwing eight innings on two runs and four hits. The Phillies ace lefty struck out seven and walked two in his eighth quality start in his last nine games, going seven innings or more for the 18th time in his 21 starts.

"(I'm) disappointed. (We) didn't win. It's pretty much a waste of an outing if you don't win," Hamels said. "Just battling and not being able to have a victory, as a team, it's disappointing, especially when we need victories."

Condrey (2-2) received the loss when he failed to record an out in the 11th inning on three hits and a walk.

Ryan Howard drove in both Philadelphia runs on two hits, while Shane Victorino also had a pair of hits, as the Phillies lost their second straight game after winning five of six.

The Phillies struck quickly in the first. Jimmy Rollins led off with an infield single, and two batters later Chase Utley singled on a hit and run, sending Rollins to third easily. Howard followed with an RBI single up the middle to give Philadelphia a 1-0 lead.

Howard hit a two-out RBI double down the left field line in the third to give the Phillies a 2-0 lead.

Hermida made Florida's first hit of the game a big one, homering for the second consecutive day to make it a 2-1 ballgame in the fourth.

The Phillies had an opportunity in the seventh when Howard was up with two outs and the bases loaded, but he grounded out to second.

The Marlins tied it up in the eighth on Ross' 16th home run of the year to lead off the inning.

Philadelphia had another opportunity in the 11th when Pedro Feliz and Carlos Ruiz both reached with two outs and advanced to second and third on a wild pitch. However, pinch-hitter Chris Coste struck out to end the threat.

Game Notes

Florida leads the season series 5-4...The Marlins and Phillies lead the majors in homers with 140 and 136, respectively...Geoff Jenkins left the game in the sixth after being hit with a broken bat. He has a right shoulder contusion and X-rays were negative. He was replaced by Jayson Werth...Rollins' single in the first extended his hitting streak to nine games.


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