Caleb Smith pitched six strong innings, and Starlin Castro’s crucial two-run homer off Hector Neris in the 10th paid dividends for the Marlins, opening a four-game set against their division rival Phillies with a 3-1 victory Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park.
Smith, in two starts against Philadelphia this season, has gone 12 innings of one-run baseball. All of Major League Baseball is bearing witness to an emerging ace who has command and swing-and-miss potential with each of his three pitches.
The Phillies rolled with Aaron Nola on the mound Thursday, who threw 6 2⁄3 innings, coughing up seven hits.