Castellanos slugs 2-run homer in 9th inning as Phillies rally to beat the Marlins 3-1 – WSVN 7News | Miami News, Weather, Sports | Fort Lauderdale

By James On Aug 2, 2023

MIAMI (AP) — Nick Castellanos hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the ninth inning on Tuesday-evening to lift the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-1 victory over the Miami Marlins.

Castellanos, who was mired in an 8-for-68 slip in the second half of the season, drilled a slider from Marlins closer David Robertson over the wall at left center to punctuate the three-run burst in the inning.

“Great, personal reasons and also because it was a big place in the game,” Castellanos said of his blast.

Castellanos, a South Florida native and resident, said he benefited from not playing in Monday’s opener.

“It’s really nice to be home, just to be able to go back to my house and see everyone who really knows me,” said Castellanos. “I get a sense of my roots again. I need to unplug and enjoy my home.”

Robertson (4-3) relieved starter Sandy Alcantara and gave up a first walk to Kyle Schwarber. After a strikeout, Bryce Harper hit an opposite field single that scored pinch-runner Jake Cave from first base.

“It was great for the club to come back in that game,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson. “Alcantara was really good. We couldn’t get much out of him.”

Alcantara continued his second complete game by limiting the Phillies to four hits in eight scoreless innings. The reigning NL CY Young Award-winner walked and struckout five in a 101-pitch outing.

“Once he got over 100 pitches, that was pretty much it,” said Marlins manager Skip Schumaker. “If he started that inning with less than 100 pitches, there could have been more attention. But he did enough and we just couldn’t push a few more runs across.

Robertson, acquired from the New York Mets late Thursday, converted a save against Detroit in his Marlins debut Sunday before squandering his second chance with the new club.

“You always play with fire when you have a one-point lead in the ninth,” Schumaker said. “Sandy was great. The whole arsenal was very good and kept them off balance.”

Garrett Cooper and Jean Segura were in Miami’s original starting lineup before being traded shortly before the game. Cooper was dealt to San Diego and Segura went to Cleveland.

Philadelphia acquired All-Star right-hander Michael Lorenzen from the Detroit Tigers for a minor league contender. Thomson said Lorenzen is targeted to start the series finale on Thursday.

Philadelphia’s Gregory Soto (3-4) threw a scoreless eighth and Seranthony Dominguez closed with a perfect ninth for his first save.

“When you face a guy like Alcantara, it’s like a playoff game,” said Thomson.

Avisaíl García’s RBI double in the third gave Miami an early lead. Garcia drove in Luis Arraez, who hit two hits and saw his major league batting average remain at .381.

The Marlins stranded 11 runners and were 2 for 13 with runners in scoring position.

Phillies starter Ranger Súarez was relieved after 6 1/3 innings. The 27-year old lefthander gave up 10 hits, walked two batters and struckout three batters.

“They got a lot of hits against me, but I was just trying to execute my throws,” said Suarez.

NOT IN THE PROGRAM

There was a brief delay for the start of the ninth when a spectator ran onto the field, evaded security, and climbed over the centerfield wall. He then continued to run through the outfield hall level before finally being apprehended.

ROSTER MOVES

The Marlins recalled INF-OF Garrett Hampson from Triple-A Jacksonville and optioned RHP Edward Cabrera with the same minor league club. Miami also recovered LHP Andrew Nardi from the injured list.

The Phillies assigned 36-year-old utility player Josh Harrison to an assignment.

TRAINERS ROOM

Phillies: C JT Realmuto was a late scrape due to a right hand contusion.

Marlins: RHP Anthony Bender (right elbow surgery) is scheduled to conduct a 20-to-25 pitch bullpen session this week at the team’s spring training complex in Jupiter, Florida.

NEXT ONE

RHP Zack Wheeler (8-5, 3.74) starts the third game of the four-game series for the Phillies on Wednesday against Marlins LHP Braxton Garrett (5-3, 4.08).