• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Phillies aim for two straight vs. Rangers

Jun 29, 2008 - 1:11 PM Philadelphia (44-38) at Texas (41-41) 6:05 p.m. EDT

ARLINGTON, Texas (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Phillies hope for another productive offensive day when they face the Texas Rangers in the rubber game of a three-game series Sunday.

The top offense in the National League, the Phillies had fallen into a collective slump before arriving in Texas, managing just 11 runs in eight games while going 1-7.

They dropped the opener in Texas as well, but managed to get the offense going in an 8-7 setback. On Saturday, the offense finally propelled the team to an 8-6 victory, led by two RBI apiece from Chase Utley, Ryan Howard and Jayson Werth.

Utley's homer in the third tied him with Florida's Dan Uggla for the major league lead at 23 blasts. Utley finished the night 3-for-5 , marking just his second multi-hit game since June 13.

The Philadelphia lineup will take its cuts Sunday against rookie Eric Hurley (0-1, 4.24 ERA).The 22-year-old righthander has made just three major league starts but has been strong in his past two, allowing just a pair of runs in each.

Hurley took the loss Tuesday in his first career decision despite yielding just two runs and six hits in six innings against in-state rival Houston.

The Phillies will counter with a pitcher with considerably more experience in lefthander Jamie Moyer (7-5, 4.09). The 45-year-old has lost his last two starts as the offense has managed a total of two runs in the outings.

Moyer has struggled at Rangers Ballpark in his career, going 4-5 with a 5.50 ERA in 15 games.