The Philadelphia Phillies held off the Miami Marlins 6-5 on Monday night behind another strong performance from Cristopher Sánchez, who became the first pitcher in Major League Baseball to reach 16 victories this season.
Sánchez improved to 16-4 after striking out six and allowing just one run on eight hits over six solid innings. His latest quality outing helped the Phillies improve to 68-58 and move into the second National League wild-card position, one game ahead of the San Diego Padres.
Philadelphia gave Sánchez plenty of support early. The Phillies sent eight batters to the plate in the third inning and scored twice against Miami starter Janson Junk. Trea Turner and Luis Arraez delivered RBI singles to give Philadelphia an early advantage.
The Marlins, however, refused to go quietly. Miami scored twice on an unusual play in the seventh inning that sparked a heated argument and resulted in manager Clayton McCullough being ejected. With the bases loaded, Javier Sanoja hit a low, opposite-field line drive that landed on the foul line in the outfield grass just beyond first base.
The ball was initially ruled foul, and Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper did not field it as the runners advanced. All three Miami runners crossed home plate, but after a replay review, umpires determined the ball was fair while ruling that only two runs counted.
The decision brought Miami within 4-3, but McCullough argued that the ruling had cost his team a run. The Marlins manager was subsequently ejected.
Miami continued to pressure Philadelphia throughout the final innings, moving within one run four different times but never managing to take the lead.
Brian Navarreto gave the Marlins another boost in the eighth inning when he launched his first home run of the season, a solo shot off Phillies reliever Brooks Raley that cut the deficit to 5-4.
Philadelphia answered and carried a two-run cushion into the ninth, but the Marlins again threatened against closer Jhoan Duran. Otto Lopez delivered an RBI single to bring Miami within 6-5 and put the tying run on base.
Duran settled down, retiring the next two batters to preserve the victory and record his 27th save of the season.
The Phillies also narrowly avoided a potentially game-changing defensive play in the fifth inning. Heriberto Hernández hit a sharply struck ground ball to third with runners on first and second, nearly giving Philadelphia an around-the-horn triple play. Hernández, however, beat Arraez’s relay throw at first to keep the inning alive.
Junk took the loss and fell to 6-8 despite keeping Miami within striking distance for much of the night.
For Philadelphia, the victory was another important step in the increasingly competitive NL wild-card race. Sánchez’s league-leading 16th win provided the foundation, while the Phillies’ offense and bullpen did just enough to withstand Miami’s repeated late pushes.
The Marlins showed plenty of fight, but Philadelphia’s ability to answer every comeback attempt ultimately proved to be the difference in a tense 6-5 victory.
