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Phillies hope to solve offensive woes, Saunders

Jun 21, 2008 - 1:52 PM LA Angels (44-30) at Philadelphia (42-33) 7:05 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Phillies haven't been able to find their offense lately. Facing one of the American League's best pitchers this season doesn't figure to help their cause.

Joe Saunders attempts to become the second AL pitcher to reach the 11-win mark on Saturday when the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim continue their three-game interleague set against the Phillies.

Philadelphia, second only to the Chicago Cubs in the National League with 394 runs, has managed just five runs during its three-game losing streak. Since sweeping Atlanta from June 6-8, the Phillies are just 3-7 over their last 10 games.

Some of their recent scoring woes can be attributed to the struggles of Chase Utley, who is hitless in his last 23 at bats.

Utley and the Phillies don't figure to get much of a break against Saunders (10-3, 3.06 ERA), who looks to join Cleveland's Cliff Lee as the AL's only 11-game winners. The lefthander went 7 1/3 innings in Sunday's 2-0 win over Atlanta, allowing just six hits and striking out three.

He will be opposed by Brett Myers (3-8, 5.58), who has allowed 11 runs over his last two starts and is just 1-7 with a 6.18 ERA over his last 11 turns.

Myers surrendered six runs and eight hits over six frames in Sunday's 7-6, 10-inning loss to St. Louis, but escaped with a no-decision.