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Phillies-Pirates Preview

Jul 3, 2010 - 3:58 AM By KATE HEDLIN STATS Writer

Philadelphia (41-36) at Pittsburgh (28-51), 7:05 p.m. EDT

So far, facing the NL-worst Pittsburgh Pirates hasn't provided any relief for the injury-riddled Philadelphia Phillies.

Pittsburgh left-hander Paul Maholm, who has been dominating in his last three outings against them, may not make it much easier for the Phillies on Saturday night when the teams continue a four-game series.

Philadelphia has dropped three straight and five of seven as injuries have made it difficult for manager Charlie Manuel to field a competitive team.

With seven players on the disabled list - most recently second baseman Chase Utley - the Phillies have scored five runs over their last three games. They were held to five hits in a 2-0 loss to the NL-worst Pirates (29-51) on Friday.

A day after Daniel McCutchen won for the first time this season, Ross Ohlendorf picked up his first victory, striking out eight over seven innings for Pittsburgh's third straight win.

Despite the lack of production, there's one reason for Philadelphia to be optimistic. At 41-37, the two-time defending NL champs have the same record at this point in the season last year.

"We've got to keep our heads above water. We got to stay in the race and it's up to us to do that," Manuel said. "In the past, we've been fortunate enough to do that and that's what we've got to do again. This is a big test for us."

Manuel's club, however, hasn't had much success against Maholm (5-6, 3.98 ERA), who is 3-1 with a 3.29 ERA in six starts against the Phillies, including 1-0 with a 0.78 ERA in the last three.

After back-to-back losses, Maholm gave up one run in a season-high eight innings of a 2-1 win over the Chicago Cubs on Monday. He had lasted just one inning against Texas on June 23 after giving up seven runs.

"The last one I put behind me the next day and got prepared for these guys," Maholm told the Pirates' official website. "I don't expect to have very many of those one-inning outings."

Jayson Werth, who went 0 for 4 Friday with three strikeouts, is 5 for 15 with a home run and double against Maholm.

Philadelphia sends Kyle Kendrick (4-3, 4.88) to the mound after he suffered his first loss since May 22 on Monday, giving up six runs and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings of a 7-3 loss to Cincinnati.

With J.A. Happ expected to return to the rotation soon, the right-hander insists he isn't worried about losing his spot.

"I'm not happy about today, but I think I threw the ball a lot better," Kendrick told the Phillies' official website. "Obviously my numbers didn't show it, but I'm not worried about J.A. coming back. That's not my decision."

On May 17, Kendrick allowed two runs and five hits in eight innings of a 12-2 win over the Pirates. He is 3-0 with a 2.45 ERA in three career starts against them.