After shuffling the weekend’s schedule around twice in preparation for Hurricane Irene, the Phils and the Fish kicked off a two-day (perhaps even one-day) series as the Marlins came out on top with a score of 6-5 Friday night.
Righty Roy Oswalt, in his fourth game since returning from his second stint on the disabled list this year, went 5 2/3 innings allowing 12 hits, six runs (five earned) and one walk while striking out two. The biggest hit of all came off the bat of John Buck, a grand slam in the sixth inning, which wound up providing just enough for the Marlins.
Former Phillie Greg Dobbs had a banner night for the Fish, going 4-for-5 with two doubles and an RBI. In nine games against the Phillies in 2011, Dobbs is 6-for-19 (.316) with two RBIs.
The Phils tried to rally in the bottom of the sixth, when Ryan Howard hit a three-run home run, his 27th of the season, bringing the Phightins within two runs. Raul Ibanez and Michael Martinez teamed up with Cliff Lee (who pinch ran for Ibanez as he is still resting with a sore groin) to bring home a run in the bottom of the ninth, but it was all for naught as Shane Victorino (0-for-5) and Placido Polanco (1-for-4) failed to bring it home for the win.
Some notes:
- Wilson Valdez hit his first home run of the season in the bottom of the third, tying the game 1-1.
- David Herndon, Michael Stutes and Ryan Madson combined for three-plus scoreless innings and five strikeouts in relief.
- The Phillies lost back-to-back games for just the sixth time all season.
Roy Halladay is expected to take the mound for Saturday’s game, which is scheduled to start at 1:05 p.m. As a reminder for those headed to the ballpark, this will be Sunday’s game being played at its rescheduled time. Tickets will be honored only with the date Aug. 28 printed on them. Saturday night’s game has been rescheduled for September 15 with a time TBD.
If the game is played, Charlie Manuel plans to send Hamels out on Monday and Lee on Tuesday against Cincinnati.
