Updated: 10:35 p.m.
The Phillies sprinted out to a nine-run lead Saturday night then had to hold on in the late innings for a harder-than-it-should-have-been 12-9 win over the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park.
Phillies pitching, which gave up 17 hits in the game, allowed eight runs from the sixth inning on to make it a one-run game in the eighth.
The Marlins’ comeback started with four straight hits against starter Jake Arrieta in the sixth inning.
The Phils are 4-2 against the Marlins this season, 15-12 overall and 10-5 at home.
The keys
MLB
• The Phillies prevailed because their offense produced 13 hits, including homers by Nick Williams, Andrew McCutchen and Rhys Hoskins, and 12 runs.
Hoskins clubbed his eighth homer of the season, a two-run shot in the bottom of the eighth, and it was a big one because it turned a one-run game into a three-run game and allowed Hector Neris some breathing room in the ninth. That proved valuable because the Marlins brought the tying run to the plate with two outs.
• Maikel Franco returned to the No. 8 spot in the batting order and had two singles and two runs scored. He drove in two runs with a two-out single in the fifth. Franco has 20 RBIs and a .952 OPS in 20 games in the No. 8 spot.
• The Phillies played some good defense. Starting pitcher Arrieta picked off a runner in the second inning. Centerfielder Andrew McCutchen made a diving catch in the gap in the fourth and rightfielder Bryce Harper cut down a run at the plate to stop a Miami rally in the sixth. Third baseman Franco followed with a nifty play to his right to open the seventh. Each of these plays become more and more important as the Marlins inched back into the game after trailing 10-1 after five innings.
Scary scene
Shortstop Jean Segura was activated from the injured list before the game and batted second in the Phillies’ lineup. Segura, however, did not stay in the game long. He was struck in the helmet by a 90-mph fastball from Trevor Richards in the bottom of the second. Segura went down hard and lay on the ground for several moments before leaving the field (and the game) under his own power. He was replaced by Sean Rodriguez.
Segura went through concussion protocol after leaving the game.
“We don’t think he has one,” manager Gabe Kapler said after the game. “He’s doing OK. We’ll evaluate him more (Sunday).”
Arrieta’s night
Arrieta was very good at the plate and on the mound early in the game. He dropped down an important sacrifice bunt in the Phils’ four-run second inning and singled home a run in the fifth. He allowed just one run through five innings, but battled a high pitch count and hit turbulence in the top of the sixth. He gave up four straight hits to open that inning and was charged with four runs in the frame. Arrieta, who had opened the season with five straight quality starts, was charged with five runs over five-plus innings of work.
Sights and sounds
Dan Baker, the Phillies public address announcer since 1972, missed a game for the first time in the Citizens Bank Park era because he was under the weather. Scott Palmer handled the PA duties.
Up next
The series concludes on Sunday afternoon. Zach Eflin (2-3, 4.15) faces Marlins lefty Pablo Lopez (2-3, 4.44).
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