Phillies 12, Cubs 1: Cody Asche belted his first major-league homer among his three hits and Darin Ruf added a two-run blast as host Philadelphia's romped in the rubber match of the three-game series.

Ethan Martin (1-1) was the beneficiary of the offensive eruption, giving up one run and four hits over five innings to earn his first major-league victory in his second career start. John McDonald clubbed a two-run homer in the eighth to cap the scoring as the Phillies improved to 4-14 since the All-Star break.

Philadelphia turned the game into a laugher with a six-run fourth inning to knock out Cubs starter Jeff Samardzija (6-11). Asche capped the rally with a two-run shot off reliever Eduardo Sánchez and Domonic Brown added a two-run single in the uprising to end Samardzija's dismal outing.

Samardzija lasted only 3 1/3 innings, matching a career low, and was pummeled for a career worst-tying nine runs on 11 hits. Chase Utley and Michael Martinez each had two hits and an RBI for Philadelphia, which scored 10 of its 12 runs in the second through fourth innings.

Nate Schierholtz belted his 15th homer, a solo shot in the fourth inning for Chicago, which was denied in its bid to win a series from the Phillies for the first time since April 2001.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Samardzija's previous shortest start also came against the Phillies, in his first major-league start on Aug. 12, 2009. ... 3B Michael Young was a late scratch from the starting lineup due to tightness in his right hamstring for the Phillies, who also announced Thursday that Utley's two-year contract extension is official and claimed OF Casper Wells on waivers from the Chicago White Sox. ... The Cubs, who placed RHP Matt Guerrier (elbow) on the 60-day disabled list and OF Thomas Neal (dislocated shoulder) on the 15-day DL, will send C Dioner Navarro for an MRI exam once the swelling in his ankle subsides. ... Chicago continues its road trip on Friday night with three games at St. Louis while Philadelphia heads to Washington to open a three-game series.