The losing streak is over but the hitting still isn’t there.
The Phillies managed just five hits Wednesday night but thanks to Wilson Valdez’s 2-for-3, one RBI, one run performance and Cole Hamels’ eight strong innings, two runs was all the Phightins needed.
"I'm concerned about (the hitting)," manager Charlie Manuel said. "But with the pitching we have, we'll keep chipping away and we're going to improve our offense. We're gonna get it done."
Hamels allowed one run on five hits and one walk while striking out eight to improve to 5-2. He used an efficient 107 pitches including 69 strikes to baffle the Rockies.
Colorado starter Jorge De La Rosa was nearly as good. The lefty went to distance allowing only one earned run on five hits and no walks while striking out four but thanks to Valdez’s timely hitting, De La Rosa (5-2) took just his second loss of the season.
The injury-plagued Phillies -- who entered having lost four straight games including a two-game sweep in St. Louis -- got on the board first on Valdez’s one-out RBI single. The Rockies would respond in the seventh on Todd Helton’s RBI double. But Valdez would lead off the eighth with a single, advance to second on a Shane Victorino pinch-hit sacrifice bunt, go to third on a wild pitch and come home to score on Jimmy Rollins sac fly.
"We have to fight no matter who we are missing," Valdez said. "We have to play the game and score runs."
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Ryan Madson allowed a lead-off double and intentionally walked Helton in the ninth but came back to strike out to side to earn his seventh save.
The same teams face off again on Thursday as Joe Blanton (1-2, 5.50 ERA) takes the hill for the Phils. He will be opposed by righty Jhoulys Chacin (4-2, 2.89 ERA).
