The win, along with the Braves' 5-0 loss to the Pirates, gave the Phillies a half-game lead in the National League East after weeks of playing stalking horse.
It also eased the sting of a game that on several occasions seemed close to spiraling out of control.
"It's always great to be in first place," said Manuel, whose team was last there on May 30. "That's the only way to live."
All seemed well heading into the eighth inning. Ryan Howard, Raul Ibanez and Victorino had all hit home runs, just the 14th time this season the suddenly power-starved Phillies have hit at least three in a game (they did it 27 times last season). The Phillies led by three runs, thanks to a couple of big outs recorded by righthander Durbin in the top of the seventh and a couple of runs pushed home in the bottom of the frame.
Righthander Joe Blanton had left the game with a 5-3 lead with one out in the seventh after issuing a walk to Emilio Bonifacio. But rookie lefty Antonio Bastardo allowed an RBI double to Logan Morrison, who moved to third base on the throw, putting the tying run one station from home with one out.
That's where Durbin shined, getting Marlins star Hanley Ramirez to pop a 1-2 fastball into foul territory on the first-base side for the all-important second out. After walking Dan Uggla, Durbin ended the frame with a fly-out by Gaby Sanchez.
"With a guy on third, less than two outs, he's swinging," Durbin said. "He's trying to get the guy in. That's what he's getting paid to do. So you take his aggressiveness into consideration and try to throw a ball off the plate, maybe he pulls it foul, get ahead of him, and try to get him to chase something."
