MIAMI (AP) - The Philadelphia Phillies are ready to put the first half of the season behind them following a 5-2 loss to the Miami Marlins on Sunday, which completed a three-game sweep.
The Phillies have lost five straight and are 36-45.
``There's nothing you can take away from this series,' Phillies left fielder Juan Pierre said. ``You just forget about it. The second half of the season is right upon us now.'
Ricky Nolasco (7-6) pitched seven strong innings and Hanley Ramirez hit a two-run home run for the Marlins, who swept the Phillies for the first time since August 7-9, 2009, at Citizens Bank Park.
``We are trying to beat everybody, but especially in our division,' Ramirez said. ``If you want to move up, that's what you have to do.'
The two-run home run by Ramirez, which put the Marlins up 5-2 in the eighth, ended a drought of 89 at_bats without a homer.
``We've been waiting for Hanley's big day,' Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen said.
All-Star slugger Giancarlo Stanton also homered, and Omar Infante and John Buck each hit RBI doubles for the Marlins, who are looking to put an 8-18 June behind them, have won four straight.
``June, get far away from us,' Stanton said. ``It's good to start new and just move forward.'
Nolasco struck out six as he scattered five hits and allowed two runs.
``A sweep against anybody is big, but we know how good that team is and we're trying to prevent them from getting on a roll as well,' Nolasco said.
Nolasco improved to 8-4 with a 3.59 ERA over 14 starts against the Phillies.
``He's always been a better pitcher than people give him credit for,' Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. ``I've seen him pitch some real good games over the time I've been here.'
With the Marlins leading 3-2 in the top of the eighth, Steve Cishek allowed two singles before getting Shane Victorino to fly out to end the inning.
Ramirez's homer came off Antonio Bastardo.
``The biggest hit today was the home run by Hanley,' Guillen said. ``Hanley opened up the game a little bit to give you some room for a mistake.'
Ramirez said: ``It was good for the crowd.'
Heath Bell came on in the ninth for his 17th save in 21 chances.
Philadelphia starter Joe Blanton (7-7) allowed three runs and six hits in six innings. He struck out seven.
``If we go out and throw a good game, we have trouble scraping across a couple and that's just baseball,' Blanton said. ``Sometimes it goes that way.'
After Pierre tripled and scored on a groundout by Carlos Ruiz, Miami took a 2-1 lead on consecutive RBI doubles by Infante and Buck.
Stanton's third home run in five games - his 19th overall - gave Miami a 3-1 advantage in the third. Nolasco, who had retired 11 straight at one point, was charged with two wild pitches in the sixth, which resulted in the Phillies' second run.
NOTES: The Phillies have had at least three All-Star selections in four consecutive years as LHP Cole Hamels, RHP Jonathan Papelbon and C Carlos Ruiz were selected to represent the National League on July 10. ... The Phillies selected the contract of OF Jason Pridie from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to fill the roster spot available after trading 1B Jim Thome to Baltimore. ... Marlins RHP Carlos Zambrano (4-6, 3.71 ERA) will start Monday against Brewers RHP Zack Greinke (9-2, 2.82 ERA). Phillies RHP Vance Worley (4-4, 2.92 ERA) will face Mets LHP Jonathon Niese (6-3, 3.55 ERA) on Tuesday.
AP NEWS
The Associated Press News Service
Copyright 2013
The Associated Press
All Rights Reserved