MIAMI (AP) — Nick Maton hit a go-ahead, two-run homer in the seventh inning off Sandy Alcantara, leading Philadelphia past the Miami Marlins 2-1 Tuesday night and tightening the Phillies' grip on the second spot in the NL wild-card race.
Philadelphia won its fourth in a row. Alcantara fell to 1-3 in six starts against the Phillies this season.
It was 1-0 when Jean Segura hit a one-out single off Alcantara (12-8) in the seventh and Maton connected on an 0-2 pitch. Earlier in the game, Maton grounded out with the bases loaded against the All-Star right-hander.
Bailey Falter (5-3) allowed one run and four hits in six innings, striking out four.
The Phillies then got perfect innings from relievers José Alvarado and Seranthony Domínguez, and David Robertson followed with a perfect ninth for his 20th save.
Alcantara was lifted after seven and reached 200 innings for the second consecutive season. The NL Cy Young Award contender gave up two runs, eight hits, walked one and struck out four.
Segura had three hits for the Phillies, who opened a six-game road trip that will include a trip to the NL wild-card leader Atlanta after the series in Miami.
Since June 15, the Phillies are 28-13 against the NL East.
Bryan De La Cruz’s solo home run in the fifth, which snuck just inside the left field foul pole, gave Miami a 1-0 lead. Before that, the Phillies could not capitalize on multiple scoring opportunities.
Philadelphia stranded runners in scoring position in the second and fourth. In the second, Segura hit a two-out single, but was caught stealing second by Miguel Rojas.
In the fourth, Alcantara gave up three straight two-out singles to Alec Bohm, Bryson Stott and Segura, but the Phillies couldn’t capitalize with the bases loaded. Maton grounded out to end the threat.
BOTTOM OF ORDER DOMINATES
Alcantara had little trouble with the top of the Phillies order. Kyle Schwarber, Rhys Hoskins, Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto combined for just one hit through six innings, which was an infield single by Harper in the sixth.
The damage came from the bottom five: Bohm, Stott, Segura, Maton and Brandon Marsh. There were five hits between them.
ROSTER MOVES
Marlins: Called up INF Jordan Groshans from Triple-A Jacksonville. Returned RHP Bryan Hoeing to Triple-A. Recalled LHP Andrew Nardi from Triple-A Jacksonville. Optioned LHP Braxton Garrett to Triple-A.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies: Interim manager Rob Thomson told reporters that starter Zack Wheeler (right forearm tendinitis) threw a 30-pitch bullpen session Tuesday. He expects Wheeler to throw another bullpen or live bullpen on Friday in Atlanta. If that goes well, a possible return to the mound could come as soon as next Tuesday’s opener against Toronto. … RHP Zach Effin was reinstated Monday from the 60-day injured list, and RHP Mark Appel placed on 60-day injured with right elbow inflammation.
Marlins: Placed OF Avisail Garcia (left hamstring strain) on the 10-day injured list.
UP NEXT
The teams play again on Wednesday. RHP Kyle Gibson (9-6, 4.57 ERA) will pitch for Philadelphia against RHP Edward Cabrera (5-2, 2.63 ERA).
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