(Sports Network) - The heavy-hitting bats of the Philadelphia Phillies aren't going to get outworked too often this year. Yet, in a recent series with the National League East-rival Florida Marlins, that is just what happened.

Only one team in the majors has gone deep more times than the Phillies this year and that club is the Marlins, who have 101 homers heading into play on Friday to Philadelphia's 95.

The two division rivals met in Florida for a three-game set beginning on Tuesday, and the Phils left town having lost two games in the set. That isn't exactly the game plan the club drew up before hitting Miami.

After sweeping the third-place Atlanta Braves to begin their current nine-game road trip, the Phillies were feeling confident they could extend their edge over the Marlins in the standings. Instead, it took a victory in Thursday's finale to push Philly's lead over Florida in the NL East back to three games.

Not surprisingly, it came down to the long ball in the first two games of that series. In Tuesday's opener, the Marlins hit two homers in the first inning off of the struggling Brett Myers to jump out to a three-run edge, and Mike Jacobs added a two-run blast in the fifth frame on the way to a 5-4 Florida win.

"They're an aggressive team, and if you make mistakes, they're ready to bang it," Myers said on the Phillies official Web site. "Every now and then, you're going to get away with some mistakes, but today was just one of those days where we didn't."

Opposing clubs can usually say the same thing about the Phillies. They themselves managed a pair of homers in the contest, a two-run homer by Jimmy Rollins and a late solo blast by Pat Burrell that made things interesting, but the early damage had already been down.

Things got worse for the club in Wednesday's test. With ace Cole Hamels on the mound, the Phillies figured to be in good shape, but even the lefty couldn't slow down the Fish's power surge despite 13 strikeouts. Jorge Cantu hit a pair of solo homers, including one in the first inning, and Dan Uggla lifted the Marlins to the win with a game-winning grand slam in the bottom of the ninth off Tom Gordon.

"Any time a team can capitalize with home runs, you need to be aware and make sure you make the right pitches and not make mistakes," Hamels told the club's site. "With most teams, a mistake might be a double, or even a ground out. But they're going to make a mistake hurt and you'll see it on the scoreboard."

In all, the Phillies allowed 11 runs over those first two games, with all 11 crossing the plate by way of the long ball. Philadelphia, meanwhile, managed six runs and two homers, adding up to a spoonful of humble pie for the Phillies' bats.

Thanks to Thursday's win the Phillies still hold a nice three-game lead over the Marlins in the NL East, but the club was reminded that sometimes it is going to get outslugged. Beginning with Friday's opener of a three-game series with St. Louis, the club needs to make sure it doesn't happen too often.

Recent series aside, Philadelphia still has a lot going for it. Thursday's win was its 40th of the season coming in its 68th game of the year. That is the fewest games to 40 wins for the team since they reached the mark in 57 games during its NL pennant-winning season of 1993.

MASTER FISHERMAN

Thursday's win was a foregone conclusion, at least statistically speaking. That's because Jaime Moyer took the mound in that game with a career record of 8-0 in eight starts against the Marlins.

The lefty didn't disappoint, as he carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing a single to Florida pitcher Scott Olsen with one out. In all, Moyer tossed a season-high eight shutout frames on the way to a 3-0 victory, while winning his ninth game in nine starts versus Florida.

Like wine, Moyer has gotten better versus the Marlins with age. Of his nine starts against the Marlins, all have come after he turned 43. He is also the first major leaguer to win his first nine starts against one club since Pedro Martinez won 12 straight over the Mariners from 1998-2004.

"You can prepare all you want, but you have to make pitches," said Moyer. "That's what it comes down to as a pitcher. I rely on my defense and made a lot of good pitches tonight and we made the plays."

Moyer's outing was far above and beyond what might be expected out of the now 45-year-old, but also shows why at his age he is still on a major league roster.

Moyer has won his last five decisions and leads the Phillies staff with seven wins to go along with a 4.12 earned run average.

UTLEY STILL NO. 1

That latest balloting update for the NL team was released on Tuesday, and second baseman Chase Utley is still the top vote-getter among NL players with 1,284,961. Utley is batting .313 and still leads the majors with 21 homers. He is also second in the NL with 58 RBI.

Ryan Howard (368,012 votes) is fourth among first baseman, while Rollins (442,885) is fifth in shortstop voting. One deserving Phillie is Burrell, but he is just ninth among outfielders with 487,131 votes.

WHO'S HOT

Burrell has been solid so far on Philly's road trip, batting .318 (7-for-22) in the first six games with two homers and two RBI.

Brad Lidge, meanwhile, is a perfect 18-for-18 in save opportunities this season, setting a club record for most consecutive saves to start a season. He passed Al Holland, who converted his first 15 chances in 1984.

Lidge has struck out 24 batters over his last 14 innings.

WHO'S NOT

Rollins is batting just .250 (6-for-24) on the road trip, though he does have two homers and three RBI. He needs to get on base, as the club is 16-4 this year when he scores a run.

Howard's dismal season is continuing. He is batting only .185 (5-for-27) on the road trip with three doubles and five RBI. His season average now stands at .204.

Perhaps a return to his hometown will help. The St. Louis-born slugger is hitting .328 (21-for-64) in his career against the Cardinals with six homers and 17 RBI.

ON DECK

The Phillies wrap their nine-game trek with three in St. Louis. Kyle Kendrick (5-2, 4.87 ERA) goes against Todd Wellemeyer (7-1, 2.93) on Friday, while Adam Eaton (2-3, 4.62) takes the hill on Saturday against former Phillie Kyle Lohse (7-2, 3.92).

Sunday's finale features Myers (3-8, 5.34) against Mitchell Boggs (1-0, 3.86).

Philadelphia then returns home for three straight against Boston. Hamels, Moyer and Kendrick are slated to pitch that series.