Phils keep rolling with 7th straight win
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Jimmy Rollins' two-run homer in the seventh inning was the difference maker, as the Philadelphia Phillies finished off a three-game sweep of the Miami Marlins with a 3-1 victory at Citizens Bank Park.
Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon struck out the side in the ninth inning to close it out, earning his 34th save of the season.
Philadelphia, which extended their winning streak to a season-high seven games, are now a game above .500 for the first time since June 3 and trail the St. Louis Cardinals by just three games for a wild-card spot.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}After going seven strong innings, Cliff Lee (5-7) pitched just long enough to earn the victory, as Philadelphia scored the go-ahead runs in the bottom half of his last inning. He allowed just one unearned run on four hits while striking out six.
"I think it's possible," said Lee on the Phillies' playoff chances. "We got a few teams ahead of us, but all we can control is what we can control. If we continue to play the way we have since the All-Star break, we got a pretty good chance."
Miami first baseman Carlos Lee drove in the lone run for the Marlins, who have lost four of their last five games.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}"I was effectively wild for the first 3-4 innings," said Josh Johnson (8-12), who took the loss for Miami after allowing three runs over his final two frames of work. He struck out six and walked three, giving up four hits in seven innings pitched.
Both starters were dealing through the first five innings, but got themselves into trouble in the sixth.
Lee had retired 10 batters in a row, but a fielding error on Rollins and a throwing error by Lee allowed Donovan Solano and Jose Reyes to reach first and second. After getting Giancarlo Stanton to fly out, Lee hit a ball through the right side to score Solano, giving the Marlins a 1-0 lead.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Johnson had not allowed a hit through the first five frames, but Rollins broke up the no-hit bid with a leadoff single in the sixth. Juan Pierre then sacrificed him over to second before Johnson walked Chase Utley. John Mayberry followed and hit a line drive to center to score Rollins to tie the game at one.
With two away in the bottom of the seventh, Pete Orr came to the plate to pinch-hit for Lee. He singled on a ground ball to right and then stole second right before Rollins ripped a Johnson fastball into the right field seats to give the Phillies a 3-1 advantage.
Phillippe Aumont pitched a scoreless eighth inning for the Phillies.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Game Notes
The Phillies are 21-8 in their last 29 games at Citizen's Bank Park ... Cliff Lee needs three strikeouts to reach 1,500 for his career ... Over his last 24 appearances, Papelbon has saved 13 games in 14 opportunities ... Miami left fielder Justin Ruggiano was ejected from the game in the top of the second for arguing.