Thu Aug 7 16:32:52 2008

Comment | Email | Print

Volstad, Marlins blank Phils to take series

---

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Chris Volstad combined with four relievers on a four-hit shutout as Florida blanked Philadelphia, 3-0, in the rubber match of a three-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

Matt Treanor, Josh Willingham and Hanley Ramirez had an RBI apiece for the Marlins, who climbed to within 1 1/2 games of the front-running Phillies in the NL East.

Volstad (3-2) allowed just three hits while walking four and fanning three in six innings. Joe Nelson, Arthur Rhodes, Matt Lindstrom and Kevin Gregg combined to allow one hit in three innings. Gregg earned his 25th save on the year with a scoreless ninth.

Chase Utley finished 1-for-3 and extended his hitting streak to 12 games for the Phillies. Shane Victorino, Geoff Jenkins and Cole Hamels added a hit each for Philadelphia.

Hamels (9-8) allowed three runs -- two earned -- on seven hits in 6 1/3 innings en route to the loss. Hamels hasn't won since July 3, having gone 0-3 in his last six starts.

The Marlins jumped on top with a run in the second. Cody Ross slapped a two- out double and came around to score on Treanor's single to right.

Florida added another run in the sixth when Jeremy Hermida got on with a one- out single, swiped second and crossed the plate on Willingham's two-out double to left.

The Marlins tacked on another run in the seventh thanks to some shoddy Philadelphia defense. Wes Helms and Ross opened the frame with consecutive singles. Treanor then hit a tailor-made double play ball to third but Eric Bruntlett bobbled the grounder before recovering in time to tag Helms as he was running to third. Pinch hitter Mike Jacobs followed by grounding another possible double play ball to first but Ryan Howard pulled Jimmy Rollins off the bag at second and everyone was safe.

The Phils removed Hamels at that point for Ryan Madson and Ramirez greeted the reliever with an RBI grounder to short to make it a 3-0 game.

Philadelphia almost broke through against the Marlins bullpen in the eighth. Victorino led off with a double off Rhodes but the veteran lefty settled down to get both Utley and Howard. Lindstrom came on from there and, after walking Pat Burrell, got Jenkins to ground out and end the threat.

Game Notes

Former four-time World Wrestling Entertainment champion and 1996 Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle threw out the first pitch before the game...During the game the Phillies acquired veteran reliever Scott Eyre from the Chicago Cubs in exchange for minor league pitcher Brian Schlitter. The left-handed Eyre, 36, had appeared in only 19 games for the Cubs this season due to two separate stints on the disabled list for left elbow inflammation and a strained left groin. He is 2-0 with a 7.15 earned run average with 14 strikeouts in 11.1 innings. Schlitter was 4-3 with six saves and a 2.22 ERA in 34 games for single-A Clearwater...Florida has won seven of its 12 matchups with Philadelphia this season.