Phillies fall to Pirates in 12 innings

PITTSBURGH - The lineup was new, but the results weren't much different. The Phillies welcomed Shane Victorino back from the disabled list and fielded their regular lineup for the first time all season, but managed just five singles in a 2-1 loss to the Pirates in 12 innings last night.

After veteran reliever Danys Baez recorded the first two outs of the 12th, Pirates rightfielder Xavier Paul knocked a single that fell just in front of Victorino in centerfield. Paul stole second base, then raced home after Jose Tabata sent a ground ball through the right side of the infield. Ben Francisco made an on-target throw from rightfield, but Paul slid home safe as Phillies catcher Carlos Ruiz never appeared to have possession of the ball.

Baez has now allowed four runs, seven hits and one walk in three appearances since he pitched five scoreless innings against the Reds in the Phillies' 19-inning victory on May 25.

Cole Hamels held the Pirates to just one hit in eight innings of work, allowing his only run in a wild sixth inning. He started that frame off by walking Ronny Cedeno. After a sacrifice bunt by opposing starter Jeff Karstens, Cedeno moved to third on a wild pitch. The inning also featured a balk, but it came after Tabata's sacrifice fly tied the game at one.

"I had no idea where the ball was going in that inning," said Hamels, who took a no-decision while lowering his ERA to 2.83. "I'm just glad I got out of it with only one run."

It was one run too many for the Phillies' offense to overcome. Their only score came in the top of the sixth, when a Chase Utley two-out single scored Jimmy Rollins from second base. Rollins had set up the scoring opportunity by stealing second.

Otherwise, it was a whole lot of nothing. The Phillies have scored just four runs in their last three games after running off a stretch of six straight games of scoring at least five runs.

Charlie Manuel had higher hopes when he filled out his lineup card in the afternoon. He penciled Victorino, sidelined for the previous 15 days with a hamstring strain, into the five-hole, the last missing piece of a lineup that had not been together since last postseason. Utley, hitting .194 since returning from the disabled list, hit in his usual spot at No. 3. Rollins and catcher Carlos Ruiz both had two hits, but the rest of the lineup combined for just two total.

"I think that lineup is going to hit," Manuel said. "That lineup has to hit."

The Phillies have lost five of their last seven games at PNC Park, where the Pirates boast a potential-laden lineup and a pitching staff that has exceeded expectations thus far. Still, the Phillies can't be happy with their current three-game losing streak. It's the second time this season they have lost at least three straight games. But the last one came against contenders Atlanta and St. Louis. This current one has come against perennial cellar-dwellars Washington and Pittsburgh.

The Phillies are now 34-23.

Shane Victorino said he is ready for everyday action and that he feels no limitations in his hamstring . . . Highly regarded prospect Jonathan Singleton has moved back to his natural position at first base for high Class A Clearwater. The Phillies had been playing him in leftfield . . . Backup catcher Brian Schneider ran and took batting practice yesterday, about a week after he suffered a slight setback in his recovery from a hamstring strain. Schneider has been on the disabled list since May 12. The Phillies have not provided an estimated timetable for his return.

For more Phillies coverage and opinion, read David Murphy's blog, High Cheese, at www.philly.com/HighCheese. Follow him on Twitter at

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