Bryson Stott delivered the knockout blow with a three-run homer, and the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies flexed their muscle with a four-homer night in a 9-3 win over the Miami Marlins on Friday.
Stott’s seventh-inning blast into the Phillies’ bullpen off reliever George Soriano gave Philadelphia a commanding 9-1 lead and capped a relentless offensive showing. Every Phillies starter recorded at least one hit, with the club piling up 16 in total.
Trea Turner led the attack, going 4 for 5 for the second time this season against Miami. Max Kepler, Brandon Marsh, and Harrison Bader also went deep, continuing the Phillies’ recent power surge. Kepler started the barrage with a second-deck solo shot off starter Valente Bellozo (1-4) in the second inning. Marsh then launched a towering 420-foot drive in the fourth off reliever Lake Bachar, followed immediately by Bader’s solo homer to make it 5-1.
Cristopher Sánchez (12-5) gave the Phillies seven strong innings, allowing one run on six hits while striking out five and walking one. The left-hander set a new career high in wins, surpassing his 11 from last season. Tanner Banks worked the final two innings in relief.
Miami’s offense was limited until the late innings. Javier Sanoja doubled home a run in the third for the Marlins’ only score off Sánchez. Brian Navarreto, making a defensive appearance in the eighth, belted his first career homer — a two-run shot against Banks — to trim the deficit to 9-3.
The Phillies also got two hits from NL home run leader Kyle Schwarber, who has gone seven games without going deep since his remarkable four-homer game against Atlanta on Aug. 28.
The turning point came in the fourth when Bachar relieved Bellozo with the Marlins trailing just 2-1. He surrendered three straight hits, including back-to-back homers by Marsh and Bader, as Philadelphia quickly extended its cushion.
Sánchez’s 12th win of the season set a new personal best, marking another step forward in his breakout campaign.
The series continues Saturday with Phillies lefty Jesús Luzardo (12-6, 4.06 ERA) facing Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara (8-11, 5.66 ERA).
