Despite a solid outing by Cole Hamels, the Phils bats just couldn't muster any offense when called upon, in a 3-2 loss to the Pirates in Pittsburgh. Hamels(L, 6-7) went 7 innings, allowing 3 runs on 5 hits, 8k's. Phils bats were 1 for 8 with runners in scoring position.

With Chase Utley(thumb) and Placido Polanco(elbow) out of the linup for the next several weeks, the bats seemingly had no life to them. Filling the huge voids in the infield were Wilson Valdez, and Greg Dobbs, who led the team in hits. Valdez a solo homerun in the 3rd, Dobbs was 2 for 4. The regulars(Rollins, Victorino, Howard, Werth, Ibanez) were a combined 3 for 20.

Phils blow a huge opportunity to gain ground on the 1st place Braves who were idle Thursday night. Now 4 games back, Jamie Moyer takes the mound in game 2 of the 4 game set, Friday night at 7:05.

Injury Update: Chase Utley will miss the next 8 weeks after having surgery to repair his thumb. Placido Polanco out for 3 to 4 weeks with tendonitis in his elbow. Brian Schneider hyper-extended his thumb in Thursday's loss, stay tuned for his status.

In Rehab: Ryan Madson will throw a rehab outing for Reading Friday. JA Happ will throw for Lehigh Valley on Saturday.