PHILADELPHIA (AP) - This time, the Miami Marlins couldn't put together a winning rally.

Logan Morrison and Justin Ruggiano homered, but the Marlins struggled with runners on base during a 6-4 loss to the Philadelphia Phillies on Friday night.

``We had too many chances,' Miami manager Ozzie Guillen said. ``We got a lot of hits but not the big one. When you don't take advantage of that, you don't deserve to win the game.'

Advertisement

The Marlins, who had 13 hits and stranded 12 runners, were trying to increase their major league-leading total to 21 comeback victories. It looked possible in the eighth.

Morrison and pinch-hitter Ruggiano started the eighth with consecutive home runs against Antonio Bastardo, trimming Philadelphia's lead to 6-4. Morrison drilled an 0-2 pitch to deep right before Ruggiano sent the next offering over the wall in left-center for his first homer of the season in his second at-bat with Miami.

Bastardo walked the next batter, John Buck, and was replaced by Jake Diekman. The left-hander struck out Chris Coghlan, then gave up consecutive singles to load the bases before being relieved by Jonathan Papelbon.

``I wanted to win the game ... and I wanted to put my best on the mound,' manager Charlie Manuel said, adding he wouldn't make a habit of using Papelbon for five outs. ``This early in the season if you're not careful you can overwork your guy. If you do it every now and then, that's OK.'

After getting Omar Infante to pop out to shortstop, Papelbon struck out Hanley Ramirez looking. Ramirez reacted angrily to the called third strike, barking at umpire Kerwin Danley and tossing his equipment behind home plate.

Papelbon then closed it out for his 15th save in 15 chances.

``Anytime Charlie calls on me, I'm ready, willing and able,' Papelbon said. ``I look forward to every opportunity.'

The Marlins brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth but center fielder John Mayberry Jr. made an acrobatic catch on pinch-hitter Greg Dobbs' fly ball to end the game. Mayberry got turned around the wrong way, but reached out to snare the liner just in front of the warning track before rolling to his back.

``Papelbon said I made an easy catch look hard so we'll go with that,' Mayberry said. ``I don't think I got any style points, but I'm happy to make the play.'

Guillen, on his reaction to the catch, said: ``In the beginning, no. In the middle, yes. In the end, lucky. He made a hell of a catch.'

Hunter Pence hit a two-run homer and Hector Luna had three RBIs for the Phillies, who have won seven of nine. Pence, Carlos Ruiz and Placido Polanco each had three hits.

Kyle Kendrick (2-4) allowed eight hits in 5 1-3 innings, but held Miami to two runs. The right-hander, who was coming off a seven-hit shutout against St. Louis on Monday, struck out four and walked three.

``I got in some jams and was able to get out of jams,' Kendrick said.

Mark Buehrle (5-5) gave up four runs and a season-high 11 hits in five innings for the Marlins. The left-hander was 4-0 with a 3.19 ERA in his previous five starts.

``Just a bad day at the office,' Buehrle said. ``I gave up too many hits early and didn't go long in the game.'

The game was delayed by rain for 48 minutes in the top of the fifth inning.

Luna hit a two-run single with two out in the first and Pence connected in the fifth to help Philadelphia build a 4-1 advantage.

Giancarlo Stanton, who had 12 homers and 30 RBIs while hitting .343 in May, staked Miami a 1-0 lead with a run-scoring double in the first.

The Marlins loaded the bases in the third and fourth, but failed to score. Morrison grounded into an inning-ending 3-6-1 double play in the third, and Infante lined out to Kendrick to end the fourth.

Philadelphia right-hander Jose Contreras left in the seventh with right elbow soreness. The 40-year-old Contreras was making his 17th appearance since offseason surgery on his right elbow.

After throwing his fifth pitch of the inning, an 89 mph fastball, Contreras grabbed his right arm and staggered to the ground on the grass between first and second before leaving the game.

Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said Contreras would have further tests Saturday and likely would be placed on the disabled list.

``I think he got hurt pretty bad,' Manuel said.

NOTES: Miami SS Jose Reyes went 3 for 4, extending his hitting streak to 12 games. . Philadelphia OF Shane Victorino was not in the starting lineup for the first time this season after receiving a cortisone shot Friday to relieve discomfort in his right hand. Victorino entered as a defensive replacement in the eighth. . Phillies RHP Vance Worley, on the DL with inflammation in his right elbow, threw a bullpen session and could start Monday's game against the Dodgers. . Phillies slugger Ryan Howard said he is making progress in his rehabilitation from an Achilles tear that has sidelined him all season. . Marlins RHP Ricky Nolasco (5-3, 4.26) is scheduled to face Philadelphia LHP Cole Hamels (8-1, 2.43) on Saturday afternoon.