Marlins Rally Past Phils, Open 1st 7-Game Series Since '67
MIAMI (AP) — Starling Marte hit a tying, three-run double off Brandon Workman in the eighth inning, Jorge Alfaro singled home the winning run in the ninth and the Miami Marlins beat the Philadelphia Phillies 7-6 Thursday night in the opener of a seven-game series, the longest in a major league regular season in 53 years.
The series includes three makeup games and two doubleheaders, replacing a series postponed from July 31 to Aug. 2 due to a novel coronavirus outbreak among the Marlins.
The previous seven-game, regular-season series was between the New York Mets and Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field from Aug. 31 to Sept. 3, 1967, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. The Phillies have not played a seven-game, regular-season series since Aug. 16-20, 1930, at the Cubs, a set that included two ties that ended because of darkness in the era before night games.
Miami began a season-high, 15-game homestand and improved the worst home record in the major leagues to 3-9.
Brian Anderson singled off Workman (1-2) leading off the ninth, and pinch-runner Monte Harrison advanced on Garret Cooper's groundout and stole third on catcher J.T. Realmuto with a headfirst slide, a call by third base umpire David Arrieta play upheld in a video review.
Miguel Rojas was intentionally walked to set up a potential double play, Workman advanced Rojas with a wild pitch and Jazz Chisholm struck out. Alfaro grounded a single up the middle just past the glove of diving shortstop Didi Gregorius for his first big league walk-off hit, giving the Marlins their first walkoff win this season.
Miami (20-19) pulled within a half-game of the Phillies (21-19) for second place in the NL East.
Tommy Hunter allowed three runs in two-thirds of an inning, and Workman one run in one inning. Philadelphia's bullpen has allowed 101 earned runs in 127 1/3 innings, a 7.14 ERA that is the worst in the major leagues.
Realmuto hit his 11th homer and had an RBI grounder as Philadelphia built a 6-3 lead in the fifth.
Alfaro had his third straight game with multiple RBIs for the Marlins.
Phillies starter Jake Arrieta allowed three runs, five hits and four walks in 5 2/3 innings. Marlins starter Sandy Alcantara gave up six runs — three earned — and seven hits in six innings, hurt by Alfaro's passed ball and errors by Jesús Aguilar at first and Marte in center.
MOVES
Miami optioned RHP Jordan Yamamoto and LHP Alex Vesia to the alternate training site, and the Marlins recalled recalled INF Isan Díaz and selected the contract of RHP Brett Eibner.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Phillies LHP José Álvarez (groin) is starting to take part in light activity, but manager Joe Girardi doesn't expect him to pitch again in the regular season. Álvarez took a 105.3 mph line drive off the bat of Toronto's Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on Aug. 20.
Marlins: INF Jon Berti (index finger) was placed on the 10-day IL. Berti, batting .250 with 10 RBIs and eight steaks, was hurt while attempting a bunt in the 10th inning of Monday's game against the Braves. ... C Francisco Cervelli (concussion) was transferred to the 60-day IL, ending his season.
UP NEXT
Phillies: RHP Aaron Nola (4-3, 2.74 ERA) and RHP Spencer Howard (1-2, 5.66) are scheduled to start Friday in an order not announced. Nola allowed six runs — three earned — and struck out 10 in 5 1/3 innings against the New York Mets last Sunday. Howard allowed three runs in four innings against the Mets last Saturday.
Marlins: LHP Trevor Rogers (1-0, 3.00) is scheduled to start the second game. He allowed three runs and struck out 10 in six innings last Sunday against the Rays. The starter for the opener had not been announced.
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