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Rangers blank Phils to avoid sweep

May 22, 2011 - 11:01 PM Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Matt Harrison pitched into the ninth inning, helping the Texas Rangers shut out the Philadelphia Phillies, 2-0, in the conclusion of their three-game interleague set.

Harrison (4-4) gave up five hits and walked three in 8 1/3 innings before Neftali Feliz came in to get the final two outs.

Mitch Moreland's double in the sixth inning plated the decisive run for the Rangers, who had dropped the first two in the set and three in a row overall.

"You never want to get swept," said Rangers manager Ron Washington. "For two days we battled but were unable to put runs on the board. Now the plane ride home will be much better."

Phillies starter Roy Oswalt (3-2) allowed only one run in a season-high seven innings to take the hard-luck loss. Philadelphia has dropped six of its last nine games, primarily because it has scored just 15 runs in that span.

"I thought we squared some balls up pretty good," said Phillies outfielder Raul Ibanez. "Not to take anything away; he made pitches when he needed to and he got outs when he needed to."

The Phillies are getting some help, however. All-Star second baseman Chase Utley, who has been out all season because of right knee tendinitis, will be activated from the 15-day disabled list Monday before Philadelphia's game against Cincinnati.

Sunday's game was low-scoring because both teams didn't capitalize with runners on base. Philadelphia batted 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left seven on base while Texas was 1-for-9 and stranded 10.

But the Rangers did get one across in the sixth, which Michael Young began with a single. He moved to second on a groundout before scoring on Moreland's double to left.

Texas tacked on another run in the eighth, when J.C. Romero relieved Oswalt, who gave up eight hits, walked two and struck out three.

Adrian Beltre began the eighth with a double and moved to third on a groundout. David Herndon then replaced Romero on the mound, but hit Mike Napoli before Craig Gentry plated a run with a bunt.

Harrison worked a 1-2-3 eighth and came back out for the ninth, striking out Ryan Howard to begin the frame. But he walked Ben Francisco on four pitches before being removed for Feliz, who recorded his ninth save of the season.

Game Notes

In anticipation of Utley coming off the DL, the Phillies optioned infielder Pete Orr to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. They will also place pitcher Joe Blanton on the 15-day DL with right elbow inflammation and recall Vance Worley from Lehigh Valley. Worley will start Tuesday...Texas begins a three-game set against the Chicago White Sox on Monday...Harrison picked up his first win since April 15. He had been 0-4 with a 7.03 ERA in five starts since then...Harrison also picked up his first career interleague win...The Phillies were shut out for the fourth time this season...Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus stole his 15th base of the season. He has converted 23 consecutive stolen-base tries dating back to the 2010 postseason.