Phillies-Marlins observations: Late rally secures 2-1 win

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MIAMI — The Phillies, one of the youngest teams in baseball, almost got beat by a rookie making his major-league debut.

But not quite.

Maikel Franco, who had struggled earlier in the game, doubled to lead off the ninth, sparking a 2-1 Phillies’ victory over the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park on Friday night.

After Franco doubled off closer Brad Ziegler (1-3), who had entered the game with 13 consecutive scoreless innings, the Phillies cashed in when Jorge Alfaro stroked an RBI single and Andres Blanco hit a run-scoring groundout.

Blanco’s heroics weren’t limited to the plate. He dug out a throw in the dirt from Hector Neris at first base and tumbled over onto the ground to record the game’s final out.
   
It was the Phillies’ second straight win in this series, both by one run. The series concludes on Sunday.

Miami’s Dillon Peters tossed seven scoreless innings but left with a no-decision.

Peters, who turned 25 on Thursday, allowed three hits — all singles — and three walks, striking out eight. He tied the franchise record for longest outing in a debut and also for the number of strikeouts. Several Marlins hold the first record. On the second one, Peters is now tied with the late Jose Fernandez.  

• The Phillies threatened twice against Peters, getting two runners on in each of the first and sixth innings. In the first, Franco struck out swinging to end the threat. In the sixth, Franco grounded into a force play. 

• One night after committing three errors, the Phillies were solid on defense as they turned two double plays and made no miscues. Among their top defensive plays was when first baseman Tommy Joseph grabbed a hot-shot liner with the bases loaded, a slick backhand stop by shortstop Freddy Galvis deep in the hole and when third baseman Franco charged in to start an impressive double play. 

• Perhaps the best defensive play of the night — at least in self-defense — was made by a fan who caught Galvis’ bat when the shortstop let it slip through his hands on a swing. The bat sailed over the third-base dugout and was caught by a young lady in jeans and an orange Marlins T-shirt.

• Right-hander Nick Pivetta gave the Phillies six innings of one-run ball. He worked around three walks and three wild pitches, one of which produced the Marlins' only run. Newcomer Juan Nicasio, acquired Thursday off of waivers from the Pirates, earned the win by recording one out on just three pitches. Neris recorded his 18th save with a scoreless ninth.

• Rhys Hoskins went 0 for 3 with three strikeouts as his 13-game hitting streak was snapped.

• Before Friday’s game, Phillies manager Pete Mackanin, responding to a question about Pedro Florimon, said he hopes to have the utility man back on the team next year. Mackanin said he likes Florimon defensively both in center field and shortstop, and that type of versatility — for those two positions in particular — is rare.

• Mackanin also said that there were no rookies called up on Friday — when rosters were allowed to expand by as many as 15 more players — in part because so many young players have come up already this season (see story). The Phillies have used 16 rookies this year, and they have 10 players on their current roster who made their major-league debut at some point in 2017.

• Centerfielder Odubel Herrera (hamstring) is expected to join the Phillies on Tuesday. He had Friday off, but in a rehab game at Double A Reading on Thursday he went 2 for 2 with two runs scored, two RBIs, one homer to dead center and one bat flip. Outfielder Aaron Altherr (hamstring) is a bit behind Herrera in starting his rehab.

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