AARON BRACY
Associated Press
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — Cody Asche certainly savored his game-ending swing Friday night.
Asche hit a two-run homer in the 10th inning to give the Philadelphia Phillies a 3-1 victory over the Miami Marlins.
“I’ve been waiting my whole life to do something like that,” Asche said. “It’s a cool feeling.”
Cole Hamels scattered nine hits over seven stingy innings and Philadelphia handed the Marlins their third straight defeat in their first game since Giancarlo Stanton was injured.
Stanton, a leading NL MVP candidate, was struck in the face Thursday night by an 88 mph fastball from Milwaukee right-hander Mike Fiers. Stanton sustained multiple facial fractures and severe lacerations as well as dental damage.
But the two-time All-Star got good news Friday, when the Marlins announced he probably won’t need major surgery. Stanton received dental treatment in Miami and the club hasn’t ruled out a return this season, although that hinges on his medical condition.
“It’s a huge loss,” Miami manager Mike Redmond said. “Not only is he a huge part of the team, but it changes the whole lineup. It is what it is. That’s the situation we’re in. We’re a resilient team.”
Ed Lucas played right field in place of Stanton, who began the day leading the National League in home runs (37) and RBIs (105). Lucas had two hits but committed a costly error.
Jake Diekman (5-4) pitched a scoreless 10th to cap three hitless innings by Philadelphia relievers. Jonathan Papelbon retired the side in the ninth after Ken Giles did so in the eighth.
Asche went deep off Dan Jennings (0-2) with one out. Chris Hatcher retired the first batter in the inning before Jennings relieved. Ben Revere singled to center and then Asche drove a 2-2 slider deep into the seats in right.
“One bad pitch,” Jennings said. “I thought I was throwing well until the last pitch.”
Philadelphia improved to 10-10 in extra-inning games this season.
“It was an exciting finish,” Phillies manager Ryne Sandberg said. “It goes a long way with the guys in the clubhouse.”
Adeiny Hechavarria had two hits and an RBI for Miami. Henderson Alvarez returned to the rotation after missing his previous turn due to a strained left oblique. He allowed one run and seven hits with four strikeouts and no walks in seven innings.
Hamels struck out six and walked one. The left-hander has yielded three earned runs or fewer in 20 straight starts.
Hechavarria’s two-out single in the sixth, the third of three singles in the inning, gave Miami a 1-0 lead.
The Marlins helped the Phillies tie it in the sixth. Chase Utley doubled and reached third on Lucas’ error in right. After Ryan Howard struck out, Utley scored on Henderson Alvarez’s wild pitch.
TRAINER’S ROOM
Marlins: Stanton sent a thank you to fans and supporters on Twitter, saying: “The amount of support I have received from you guys has been tremendous & Heartfelt. I’m much better today & deeply appreciate your prayers!”
Phillies: SS Jimmy Rollins missed his fourth straight game since straining his left hamstring on Monday.
UP NEXT
Marlins: LHP Brad Hand (3-6, 4.45 ERA) looks to continue his September rebound Saturday night against the Phillies. After going 0-3 with a 6.17 ERA in August, Hand is 1-0 with a 2.00 ERA in two appearances this month. He pitched six sharp innings in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Atlanta.
Phillies: RHP Kyle Kendrick (8-12, 4.83) continues his September audition for free agency. He is 0-1 with a 4.82 ERA in three starts against Miami this season.
LIGHTS OUT
Giles has retired 23 straight batters, 12 on strikeouts. The hard-throwing rookie has a 1.11 ERA.
BACK IN FORM
Alvarez lasted just 2 1-3 innings in his previous start on Sept. 1. After missing one turn due to the injury, he looked much more like the pitcher who made the All-Star team this season.
“I thought he looked good,” Redmond said. “He gave us a great effort. Too bad we couldn’t capitalize on it.”
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