STEVEN WINE
AP Sports Writer
MIAMI (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies have had trouble scoring runs all season, especially for Cole Hamels.
That meant Wednesday’s shutout loss was more of the same. The feeble Phils managed only five hits, and their losing streak reached six games with a 5-0 loss to the Miami Marlins.
The Phillies were shut out for the 11th time, which is tied for second-most in the majors.
“It’s hard to believe,” manager Ryne Sandberg said. “Maybe it’s a pressing situation. We need somebody to get it going — everybody to feed off of somebody coming through.”
Hamels (2-5) gave up three runs and needed 97 pitches to get through five innings, ending his career-best 10-game streak of pitching at least seven innings. Hamels, a victim of poor run support all season, remained winless since June 6 but blamed only himself for the latest loss.
“I wasn’t getting ahead of guys,” Hamels said. “Then when I had to throw a strike, I left it up in the zone in a place where they were able to make solid contact.”
Casey McGehee reached base three times, doubled home a run and scored another. He agreed Hamels was at less than his best.
“We did a really good job of getting his pitch count up early, taking advantage of him not having the control he usually does in the first inning or two,” McGehee said. “We were able to get him out of there. That’s the big thing, trying to get a guy like that out of the game.”
The Phillies matched their longest losing streak of the year and fell 12 games below .500 for the first time. Hamels shrugged when asked if the offense is pressing.
“It’s a team game,” he said. “If they’re pressing too hard, I’m pressing too hard, too. We are all accustomed to winning.”
Philadelphia reliever Mario Hollands took a sharp grounder off the left knee for a single in the ninth, gave up a homer to Jarrod Saltalamacchia and a double and then left the game accompanied by a trainer. Afterward he said he was fine.
The homer snapped Hollands’ streak of 18 consecutive scoreless innings.
Tom Koehler (6-6) retired 15 in a row during one stretch and pitched six innings. With his wife about to give birth, Koehler left the ballpark immediately after the game.
The Marlins placed him on paternity leave and said his wife, Ashley, was expected to delivery their first child — a daughter — by Thursday morning.
“Big news,” manager Mike Redmond said. “We’re excited about that, and glad he got a big win on a big day for him and his wife.”
Koehler allowed three hits and earned his first victory since June 4.
Ben Revere and Jimmy Rollins started the game with singles, but Koehler didn’t allow another baserunner until the sixth. The Phillies’ first two batters also reached in that inning, but again they failed to score. They went 0 for 6 with runners in scoring position.
Notes: Marlins LHP Brad Hand (0-1, 6.38) will come off the disabled list to start Thursday against Phillies RHP Kyle Kendrick (3-8, 4.22). … Philadelphia OF Domonic Brown went on the paternity list, and he’s expected to rejoin the team this weekend in Pittsburgh. OF Aaron Altherr was recalled from Double-A Reading. … Phillies LHP Cliff Lee (elbow) is scheduled to begin a rehab assignment Sunday with Class-A Clearwater. He’ll throw 65 to 75 pitches. … Phils C Wil Nieves began a rehabilitation assignment with the Gulf Coast League Phillies.
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