MIAMI (AP) -- Alex Fernandez will be absent from Pro Player Stadium on Tuesday night, taking part in a protest by Cuban-Americans over the Elian Gonzalez situation.

But he was all business Monday night, pitching the Florida Marlins past the Philadelphia Phillies 3-1.

	Preston Wilson's two-run homer in the first was enough support for Alex Fernandez.

"I didn't have great stuff, not overpowering, but I'll take this stuff every time," Fernandez said. "We're making some believers out of the fans and opposing teams. I'll take my chances with this team against anybody."

Preston Wilson hit a two-run homer in the first inning and Fernandez made it stand up in front of a crowd of only 9,344. The Marlins have won seven of nine while the Phillies, who won the series opener before dropping the last three, wrapped up a 1-6 road trip.

Marlins management has given its permission for any of its front-office workers, players or coaches to miss Tuesday night's game against San Francisco because of the protest.

Pitchers Vladimir Nunez and Michael Tejera, who's on the disabled list, and Fernandez will be absent, along with third baseman Mike Lowell.

Third base coach Fredi Gonzalez, infield coach Tony Taylor and bullpen Luis Perez also plan to be absent, as does Cuban-American Hall of Famer Tony Perez, an assistant to general manager Dave Dombrowski.

"I wouldn't have pitched (Tuesday). I'm making it a point as a Cuban-American, and I'm proud to say that. You won't be seeing me here tomorrow," Fernandez said.

"I think Elian's family needs to be supported," he said. "I'm backing them."

Fernandez (3-2) gave up seven hits in 7 2/3 innings, his longest outing of the season. He struck out three and walked two.

Fernandez escaped a first-and-second, no-out jam in the fifth. He gave up a home run to Ron Gant in the sixth.

Braden Looper relieved with two outs and runners at the corners in the eighth. He threw just one pitch and retired Mike Lieberthal, who had been 3-for-3 against Fernandez, on a hard grounder.

"I'm thinking about throwing underhanded to him," joked Fernandez.

Antonio Alfonseca pitched the ninth and earned his major-league leading eighth save in nine chances.

The Marlins bullpen extended its scoreless inning string to 15 innings over five games.

"The numbers they're putting up is like Fantasy Island," Marlins manager John Boles said. "They can't maintain that pace, that would be unreal."

Mark Kotsay led off the Marlins first with a single and Wilson hit an opposite-field homer to right against Randy Wolf (1-2).

After that homer, Wolf allowed only three singles before leaving after the sixth. He struck out four and walked one.

"I come to the ballpark every day thinking we're going to win," said Phillies manager Terry Francona. "I don't know what to say or how I feel. It's hard. We're here to win and we're not doing a very good job of it."

The Marlins added an insurance run in the seventh against reliever Carlos Reyes when Danny Bautista doubled and scored on a single by Mike Redmond.

Game notes
Lieberthal is 7-for-12 lifetime against Fernandez. ... Bobby Abreu entered the game batting .367, but he continued to be baffled by Fernandez. Abreu went 0-for-4, leaving him hitless in 11 at-bats against the Marlins righty. ... Boles said Alfonseca, who has saved three consecutive games, will not be available for Tuesday night's game against the Giants. Instead, the closer will be setup man Dan Miceli.