Werthfrustrated

Kevin McAlpin covers the Phillies for 97.5 The Fanatic.  You can follow him on Twitter(@KevinMcAlpin) 

Is it possible for the injury news to get ANY worse than it already is?  After learning they'd be without Chase Utley for the next two months, and Placido Polanco for three or four weeks, the Phils dropped the opener of a four game series in Pittsburgh last night 3-2.  Cole Hamels (6-7, 4.07) certainly pitched well enough to get a win last night, giving up just three earned runs to a Pirates club that is last in the Majors in runs scored. 

Tonight, Jamie Moyer (9-6, 4.30) looks to extend his win streak to three straight.  In June, Moyer won four out of his five starts and hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in a start since June 11.  The only hiccup coming at Fenway where he gave up nine first inning runs.  A W tonight would be the 268th of his 24 year career, and tie him with Hall-of-Famer Jim Palmer for 34th place on the all-time wins list.  "Usually he can take you deep in the game and give you a chance to win" says skipper Charlie Manuel.  Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf (0-6, 4.90) enters tonight winless in his last 16 starts.  His last win came on August 18, 2009 against the Brewers.  Over the past four seasons, the 27-year-old Ohlendorf has just 12 victories.

With three of eight regulars on the disabled list, it's now up to Jimmy Rollins, Ryan Howard, and Jayson Werth to carry the offensive load.  However, over the past four games, Rollins is just 2-17 batting out of the third-hole.  Ryan Howard hasn't driven in a run in five games, Werth without a ribby over the last seven contests.  One bright spot recently has been the play of Wilson Valdez who homered for the fourth time in the past ten games last night.