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Moyer, Phillies look to overcome loss of Utley, face Pirates

Jul 27, 2007 - 1:00 PM Pittsburgh (42-58) at Philadelphia (52-49) 7:05 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- July has not been kind to Jamie Moyer, but the crafty veteran hopes to end the month in style.

Moyer and his Philadelphia Phillies hope to overcome the loss of All-Star second baseman Chase Utley when they open a three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Philadelphia's five-game winning streak was snapped when it dropped a 7-6 decision to lowly Washington on Thursday. To add to the insult of losing to the worst team in the National League East, the Phillies lost the services of Utley after he was hit by a pitch from rookie lefthander John Lannan in the fifth inning.

Utley suffered a broken right hand and will be out of the lineup for an undetermined time.

"As breaks go, it's not that bad," Utley said. "It's definitely disappointing."

Moyer (8-8, 5.01 ERA) toes the rubber looking to put an end to a disappointing July. The 44-year-old lefthander has had a month to forget, going 1-3 and giving up 23 runs in 23 1/3 innings through four starts.

The 21-year veteran did earn a victory in his last start, allowing four runs and eight hits in 6 2/3 innings of a 12-4 win against the San Diego Padres last Saturday.

Moyer is 5-6 with a 5.50 ERA in 14 appearances versus Pittsburgh.

The Pirates counter with John Van Benschoten (0-4, 8.17), who takes the mound after being skipped over for his last start.

Van Benschoten, making his 11th career start, was blasted in his last outing, surrendering season highs of nine runs and nine hits in just two frames in a 10-8 loss to the Colorado Rockies on July 16.

The Pirates have lost three of four and nine of 11 since the All-Star Break.