Marlins complete 3-game sweep of Phillies
MIAMI -- Ricky Nolasco has given the Philadelphia Phillies troubles throughout his career and that trend continued Sunday.
Nolasco (7-6) pitched seven strong innings and allowed two runs and five hits in a 5-2 win as the Miami Marlins completed a three-game sweep. He struck out six without walking a batter as he threw 63 of his 97 pitches for strikes.
He improved to 8-4 with a 3.59 ERA over 14 starts against the Phillies.
"He's stingy; he doesn't like to give you too much," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "He knows how to pitch. I've seen him pitch good against us, and he's tough."
Hanley Ramirez and Giancarlo Stanton each homered for the Marlins, who last swept the Phillies August 7-9, 2009, at Citizens Bank Park.
"A sweep against anybody is big, but we know how good that team is, and we're trying to prevent them from getting on a roll as well," Nolasco said.
The Marlins have won four consecutive games overall for the first time since winning seven in a row to begin May.
"Little by little we put everything together," Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said.
Phillies starter Joe Blanton (7-7) was nearly as effective, as he struck out seven as he allowed three runs in six innings.
Trailing 3-2 in the eighth, the Phillies' John Mayberry and Carlos Ruiz singled off Steve Cishek, who then got Shane Victorino to fly out to end the Phillies threat.
"We've got life, we're trying out there," Manuel said. "We're just having trouble getting the hit when we have to."
Ramirez hit a two-run homer in the bottom of the eighth for a 5-2 advantage. It was his first home run since June 3.
"We've been waiting for that," Guillen said.
Heath Bell picked up his 17th save in 21 opportunities by pitching a perfect ninth.
Juan Pierre tripled and scored on a groundout by Ruiz, who was named to his first All-Star team, to give the Phillies an early 1-0 lead.
Omar Infante and John Buck hit back-to-back RBI doubles in the third to put Miami in front 2-1.
Stanton, another first-time All-Star, hit his third homer in five games to extend the Marlins lead to 3-1.
"I'm coming right at him," Blanton said. "Location-wise, I got it 50 percent right. I got it on the corner, and if I got it down, I get him out. I just happened to leave it up a little bit."
Nolasco allowed a pair of hits in the fifth after retiring 11 straight, but calmly got out of the jam by striking out Blanton on three pitches.
NOTES: To fill the roster spot available after trading 1B Jim Thome to Baltimore, the Phillies selected the contract of OF Jason Pridie from Triple-A Lehigh Valley. ... Marlins RHP Edward Mujica (fractured right pinky toe) was placed on the 15-day disabled list following Saturday's game, and they recalled LHP Wade LeBlanc. "The options weren't that much," Guillen said. "We've got a couple guys hurt. LeBlanc was the guy who was available for (this) particular time. He's going to be a long guy." ... Stanton is hitting .444 (8-of-18) with three home runs and five RBIs in his last five games.
