Marlin Win Is Special

A visitor to the office of Florida Marlin Manager Jack McKeon offered congratulations late Thursday night.

“We didn’t do anything yet,” McKeon responded.

That’s not quite right. With an 8-4 victory, the surprising Marlins completed a sweep of their crucial three-game series against Philadelphia to clinch a tie for the wild card and eliminate the Phillies.

With one victory, or one loss each by the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros, the Marlins would earn their first playoff berth since winning the 1997 World Series.

“We’re not ready to celebrate,” said McKeon, 72, who has never managed in the postseason. “We haven’t completed our job.”

But the unaccustomed pressure of a playoff race has failed to faze the Marlins (89-70). They’ve won four games in a row to climb a season-high 19 above .500.

Juan Encarnacion sparked the latest victory with a homer and four RBIs. Brad Penny (14-10) pitched eight innings for the Marlins, who won for the 14th time in 16 home games.

The Phillies led the wild-card standings Saturday but have lost five consecutive games since. They finished 6-13 against Florida and lost their final seven games in Miami.

“There are no excuses,” Manager Larry Bowa said. “The Marlins beat us.

“They beat us all year, and that’s the difference between where we are and where they’re going.”

Jim Thome hit his league-leading 45th home run, but Philadelphia did little else right. Randy Wolf (16-10) lasted only four innings.

The first four innings were played in light rain after the start was delayed 18 minutes. But despite the weather, the game drew 31,935 fans.

McKeon flip-flopped Juan Pierre and Luis Castillo at the top of the order against the left-handed Wolf, and the strategy paid off. Castillo reached base three times and Pierre four.

Penny threw 126 pitches and improved to 3-0 in three starts against the Phillies. He gave up seven hits and four runs and struck out Thome three times.