PHILADELPHIA(AP) -- Ryan Howard's home run wasn't nearly enough
for the Phillies.

Rick VandenHurk shut down the NL East champions and led the
Florida Marlins to their sixth win in seven games against
Philadelphia, 7-2 Friday night.

"Today we were flat," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said.
"Last night we were flat too coming off the celebration, but
that's no excuse, tonight we just didn't hit."

Cameron Maybin had four hits, scored three times and drove in a
run, and Jorge Cantu drove in three runs.

Howard's 44th homer accounted for the Phillies' only runs. He
connected in the first inning and leads the majors with 140
RBIs.

VandenHurk "did a nice job," Marlins manager Fredi Gonzalez
said. "He only had one bad pitch to Howard, a change up he hit
out and he's hit a few of those."

Joe Blanton (12-8) was shaky for the second straight outing,
allowing five runs and nine hits in six-plus innings.

"I was a bit laxed in the first inning," Blanton said. "Then I
turned it on a little bit, but by then it was already too late."

Philadelphia (92-68) is racing the Los Angeles Dodgers for the
best record in NL and home-field advantage throughout the NL
playoffs. The loss meant the Dodgers would clinch it with a win
Friday night.

"I'd like to have home-field advantage," Manuel said. "We have
to start winning some games in order to do that."

Jimmy Rollins, Raul Ibanez and Pedro Feliz all received the
night off for Philadelphia. Manager Charlie Manuel continued
resting his regulars, with Howard, Jayson Werth and Shane
Victorino also expected to sit at some point this weekend.

VandenHurk (3-2) gave up two runs on five hits. Three Florida
relievers combined for three scoreless innings.

Cantu's two-run single in the first gave the Marlins a 2-0 lead.
He added a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Florida made it 4-2 in the second on RBI doubles by Chris
Coghlan and Maybin.

NOTES: Philadelphia reliever J.C. Romero indicated he might not
pitch again in 2009 during a pregame interview. ... The Phillies
sold out Citizens Bank Park for the 40th consecutive game and
70th overall. ... Maybin is eight for his last 14 in three
games. ... The Marlins have won six of the last seven at
Philadelphia.