A big six-run third inning, highlighted by a long, three-run homer from Chase Utley, paced the way to the Phillies’ 12-2 victory over the Miami Marlins on Monday night.
Utley went 2 for 5 and hit his first home run since Aug. 21. That was more than enough run support for Cliff Lee, who continued his run of outstanding performances by scattering eight hits with 14 strikeouts through eight innings for his 14th win.
Lee also contributed with a two-run, bases-loaded single in the six-run third, ripped a long, RBI triple in the fifth inning and added an RBI single in the seventh.
The victory boosts the Phillies to 70-80 and keeps the dim possibility for a winning season alive.
Starting pitching report
Lee pitched eight innings for third start in a row and for the fifth time in the last seven outings. With the 14 strikeouts, Lee reached the 200-strikeouts plateau (he has 201) for the third season in a row. Lee faced 32 hitters in his eight innings and threw 23 first-pitch strikes.
During his recent seven-game span, Lee is 4-1 with a 2.25 ERA and 56 strikeouts in 52 innings.
MLB
Marlins’ starter Sam Dyson took his first career loss in his sixth big-league appearance. Dyson allowed seven runs on six hits and four walks in just 2 2/3 innings.
Bullpen report
Ethan Martin faced four batters in the ninth to finish it off.
At the plate
Utley’s homer was his 17th of the season and the most he’s had in a year since slugging 31 homers in 2009. The three RBIs give Utley an even 800 for his career.
Lee’s triple was the first of his career and third by a Phillies’ pitcher this season. The last time the Phillies had three triples in a season from their pitchers was 1978 (Dick Ruthven had two and Steve Carlton one). Lee is also the first Phillies’ pitcher to have four RBIs in a game since Robert Person’s epic two-homer and seven-RBI game in 2002.
Also, Darin Ruf hit his 14th homer of the season and Roger Bernadina tripled. Along with Utley and Lee, Ruf, Cesar Hernandez and Jimmy Rollins had multi-hit games.
Minor league notes
Paul Owens Award winners Maikel Franco and pitcher Severino Gonzalez were on hand to pick up their hardware prior to Monday’s game. Franco batted .320 with 31 homers and 103 RBIs between Single A Clearwater and Double A Reading this season, while Gonzalez was 7-5 with a 2.00 ERA and 119 strikeouts in 103 innings at three levels.
Additionally, the Phillies announced that long-time minor league pitching coach Carlos Arroyo will become the organization’s roving pitching instructor.
Up next
The series continues on Tuesday night when Roy Halladay (3-4, 7.28) faces lefty Brian Flynn (0-1, 10.13). Halladay has faced the Marlins twice this year, including the May 5 outing in which he gave up nine runs on four hits and four walks. It was shortly after that game when Halladay learned he needed to have surgery on his right shoulder.
The 6-foot-7 Flynn will be making his third career start on Tuesday night. He has allowed nine runs on 12 hits and nine walks in eight innings against the Cubs and Braves.
