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Rollins, Phillies seek to end six-game skid

Jun 25, 2008 - 1:42 PM Philadelphia (42-36) at Oakland (42-34) 10:05 pm EDT

OAKLAND (Ticker) -- Oakland native Jimmy Rollins hopes to help the Philadelphia Phillies snap a season-high six-game losing streak on Wednesday in the middle game of a three-game series with the Oakland Athletics.

Rollins went 0-for-4 in his homecoming and Emil Brown hit a go-ahead three-run homer as the A's posted a 5-2 victory on Tuesday.

Philadelphia, which has scored 11 runs during its losing streak, will try and bounce back against Oakland rookie lefthander Greg Smith.

Smith (4-5, 3.51 ERA) is coming off two impressive starts, yielding two runs and six hits over his last 10 innings.

On Thursday, Smith allowed a run and three hits in five innings, but did not factor into the decision of a 2-1 loss to Arizona. A former Diamondbacks' prospect, Smith is part of a pitching staff that is tops in the majors with a 3.43 ERA.

The Phillies, who are in the midst of their longest losing streak in two years, hand the ball to Kyle Kendrick (6-3, 5.06).

Kendrick is coming off his first loss in more than two months, as the 23-year-old righthander gave up six runs and six hits in three innings of a 7-4 loss to Boston on Wednesday.

The National League's leader in All-Star votes, Chase Utley has struggled mightily during Philadelphia's slump, hitting just .034 (1-for-29) with two RBI in his last eight games.