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Phillies seeks to end 23-inning scoreless streak vs. Pirates

Aug 9, 2008 - 10:13 AM Pittsburgh (53-62) at Philadelphia (62-53) 7:05 pm. EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Phillies look to snap a 23-inning scoreless streak on Saturday against struggling Pittsburgh Pirates righthander Ian Snell.

Philadelphia is second in the National League with 563 runs, but has been uncharacteristically silent at the plate the last two games. The Phillies were shut out by Florida on Thursday, then went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position in a 2-0, 12-inning loss on Friday.

Philadelphia had runners on first and second when Chase Utley lined out to left field and Shane Victorino was doubled off to end the game.

"It was like it was meant for us not to score," said manager Charlie Manuel, whose team holds a one-game lead over the New York Mets (61-54) in the National League East.

The Phillies have not been shut out in three straight games since 1983.

Facing Snell (4-8, 6.14 ERA), who has the highest ERA of any pitcher with at least 19 starts, should help cure their offensive woes. Snell is 1-2 with a 7.64 ERA in his last eight starts. On Sunday, he was touched for four runs and seven hits in four innings, but did not factor into the decision in a 8-5 loss to Chicago.

Philadelphia counters with Brett Myers (4-9, 5.34), who is 1-0 with a 1.38 ERA in his last two starts. Myers, who returned from a three-week stint in the minors on July 23, allowed two runs and four hits in six innings, but did not factor into the decision in a 5-4 win over St. Louis on Sunday.