" Javier Vazquez is starting to conjure up images of Al Leiter and, for the Marlins, that's not a good thing.

Vazquez was knocked around — and then out — by the Phillies on Monday to kick off a big three-game series between the National League's top two teams record-wise.

The Phillies won the opener, 6-4.

And it was Vazquez, signed by the Marlins for $7?million last winter, who bore the brunt of the blow, giving up six runs in the short span of 4?1/3 innings.

"I wish I had an explanation, but I've got nothing," Vazquez said. "It's frustrating and I'm embarrassed by the way I'm throwing. Hopefully I get through this. If not, I'm in trouble."

Vazquez now sits at 2-3 with a ballooning 6.88 ERA, and is threatening to become the biggest free agent flop to come out of New York since the Marlins awarded Al Leiter an $8 million deal in 2005.

Leiter, who was with the Mets the previous year, lasted all of 16 starts before the Marlins released the veteran lefty. Even though Vazquez struggled with the Yankees last season, the Marlins were hoping he would bounce back to life with a return to the National League."