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Kotchman, Angels edge Phillies for sweep

Jun 22, 2008 - 11:11 PM By Vince DiGregorio PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Not even the return of Chase Utley to the starting lineup was enough to revive the Philadelphia Phillies' offense.

Casey Kotchman hit a two-run home run to highlight a three-run second inning as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim completed a three-game interleague series sweep of the Phillies with a 3-2 victory on Sunday.

The loss extended Philadelphia's season-high losing streak to five games. The Phillies have scored nine runs during their slide.

The sweep at Citizens Bank Park capped a perfect homecoming for Angels manager Mike Scioscia, a native of Springfield in the Philadelphia suburbs.

"It worked out all right, but it's never easy," Scioscia said. "It was nice coming back. Beautiful ballpark. Saw a lot of family and friends. The three games made it worth the trip."

After the Phillies squandered a first-inning scoring chance, the Angels took advantage in the second off Cole Hamels (7-5). Gary Matthews Jr. delivered an RBI single before Kotchman blasted an 0-1 offering from Hamels off the facing of the second deck down the right field line for a two-run home run and a 3-0 lead.

"Going into it, you know that (Hamels) is going to be pretty stingy giving up runs and he was," Kotchman said. "We were just fortunate to string a couple (of runs) together."

"'Kotch' probably highlights the depth that we're hoping to re-establish," Scioscia said. "He squared that one up. That ball was properly hit. He got a fastball in and got the head on it. That ball went a long way."

After flying out in his first at-bat, Utley snapped out of an 0-for-24 slump when he lined a two-out double off Angels starter Jered Weaver (7-7) in the third inning. Utley, who was given Saturday's game off, then scored on Ryan Howard's single that pulled Philadelphia within 3-1.

"The bottom line is we didn't score enough runs," Utley said. "We have a day off tomorrow and I think that'll be beneficial."

Jimmy Rollins cut the deficit to one with an RBI double off Angels reliever Darren Oliver in the seventh inning. However, Scot Shields replaced Oliver and struck out both pinch-hitter Chris Coste and Utley to preserve the lead.

"We beat a good club by pitching very well," Scioscia said. "Those guys have an explosive lineup. The way our pitchers performed this series was just lights out."

Shields also pitched a perfect eighth before Francisco Rodriguez retired pinch-hitter So Taguchi with two runners on in the ninth for his 30th save.

"I can't say enough about our pitchers," Scioscia said. "Scottie Shields, great job, and Frankie closing it out."

Prior to the sweep by the first-place Angels, the Phillies had dropped two of three to another division-leading team in the American League, the Boston Red Sox, to finish an abysmal homestand at 1-5.

"As a team, we know how good we are," Howard said. "We haven't been playing very well right now. To have that happen against two teams like the Red Sox and Angels, you can't have it happen. It's one of those lulls and (we) just happened to hit it against these two teams."

Weaver lasted 5 1/3 innings, allowing a run on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts.

"We knew going in that (the Phillies) have a lot of power up and down their lineup," Weaver said. "I just tried to mix up pitches and keep them off-balance as much as possible."

Philadelphia wasted a quality start by Hamels, who gave up three runs and five hits with four strikeouts and no walks over seven frames.

"I'm definitely disappointed," Hamels said. "I made one bad pitch and (Kotchman) hit it into the second deck. At least it wasn't a cheap home run, but you want to be able to get the job done."

The Phillies tried to get out of the offensive doldrums in the first inning by attempting to manufacture runs, but their struggles continued. Rollins led off with a single and Greg Dobbs walked. After Utley flied out, both runners executed a double steal, but Weaver struck out both Howard and Pat Burrell to end the threat.

"That first inning was key," Weaver said. "To be able to get out of that and battle after getting into a little trouble."