Marlins shut down by Chad Billingsley, drop second straight to Phillies
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Hits and hard outs didn't add up to much for the Miami Marlins.
Chad Billingsley had his best outing in nearly three years and the Philadelphia Phillies beat the Marlins 3-1 on Saturday night.
The Marlins outhit Philadelphia 10-5 and stung the ball on several outs, but only got one runner home. Their best chance came in the eighth, but Ken Giles fired a 100 mph fastball past Adeiny Hechavarria to strand runners on second and third.
"We had 10 hits and hit 13 balls hard and had nothing to show for it," Marlins manager Dan Jennings said. "Early in the game, we were sloppy. It put us in a hole."
Ryan Howard and Domonic Brown lined RBI singles off Tom Koehler (7-6) in the first inning. The Phillies got just two hits the rest of the game.
Koehler gave up three runs - two earned - and three hits in six innings. He retired the last 12 batters he faced.
"I kind of lost command a little in the early innings and made it tough for us," Koehler said. "I made some good pitches when I had to, but I wish I was sharper."
Billingsley (2-3) gave up four hits, walked one and struck out two to help the major league-worst Phillies win their second straight game for the first time since a three-game winning streak June 21-23. He left the game with elbow symptoms.
It was the first time Billingsley didn't allow a run since Aug. 19, 2012, when he threw seven scoreless innings in a win for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Billingsley missed almost two full seasons following two elbow operations before returning this season with the Phillies. He made three starts and then missed six weeks with a shoulder injury.
Jonathan Papelbon finished for his 15th save in 15 tries.
A pair of errors by the sloppy Marlins in the second inning led to another run on Ben Revere's fielder's choice groundout.
"It's frustrating any time you give a team extra outs," Koehler said. "We're better than this."
After Billingsley left, the Marlins scored off Jake Diekman in the sixth. Ichiro Suzuki singled, stole second and scored on Martin Prado's double.
MILESTONE APPROACHING
Ichiro needs seven more hits and five more steals to become the ninth player to reach 2,900 hits and 500 steals. Barry Bonds was the last to do it.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: RHP Jarred Cosart will be examined by a doctor in New Orleans on Sunday because of recent dizziness while pitching. Cosart went on the disabled list in May because he had vertigo. ... Utility player Don Kelly had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow.
UP NEXT
Phillies LHP Cole Hamels (5-7, 3.63 ERA) opposes Marlins RHP Dan Haren (7-5, 3.24) in the series finale Sunday afternoon. Hamels seeks his first win since May 23. The ace could be making his final start in Philadelphia if the Phillies trade him before the July 31 non-waiver deadline.
