The Phils’ bad news offense is still able to score enough runs in support of a strong effort by Vance Worley, as they defeat the Padres, 2-0.

The Phils took the lead in the first as, with runners on the corners, and with nobody out, Jimmy Rollins hits a sacrifice fly, knocking in Juan Pierre, who had earlier walked, then moved up to second base on Placido Polanco’s single to left, before going on to third on left fielder Will Venable’s fielding error, giving the Phils a 1-0 lead. The Phils threaten to add more as Hunter Pence and Shane Victorino followed with singles, loading up the bases, but Padres’s starter, rookie Joe Wieland, is able to get out of the inning, as he first got John Mayberry, Jr. to pop out to the second baseman, putting the infield fly rule into effect, and then getting Carlos Ruiz to hit into a force out, 6-4, wiping out Victorino at second base, for the inning’s final out. The game would then become a pitchers’ duel between Wieland, who would settle down and allow the Phils to have only two more hits against him, as he struck out seven, as the offense continue to have its problem putting together rallies, and then the Padres’ bullpen, and Phils’ starter Vance Worley, who would pitch an excellent game against the Padres, as he struck out a career-high eleven Padres, while pitching out of a man on third, no outs, jam in the second, and then a first and third, one man out, jam in the fifth, as he struck out Jeremy Hermida, swinging, for the inning’s second out, before Ruiz would throw to second base, trying to catch stealing Chase Headley, who had just singled, who then stopped in front of second base as Rollins catches the ball, trying to start a run down so that Venable, who had started the inning off with a single, then moved up to second base on Cameron Maybin’s sacrifice bunt, 1-3, for the inning’s first out, and then went up to third base on Headley’s single, could head for home during the run down to tie up the ballgame, but, Rollins did not bite, and instead threw home, beating Venable to the plate, as Ruiz put on the tag for the inning’s final out, keeping it a 1-o Phils’ lead, and then, finally, a two on, two out, jam in the seventh, as he struck out pinch hitter Mark Kotsay, looking. The Phils finally added an insurance run in the ninth as, with two men on, and with nobody out, Pence, who had earlier walked, then stopped at third base on Victorino’s single to left, as he was running on the pitch, would score on catcher John Baker’s passed ball, giving the Phils a 2-0 lead, while sending Victorino, who had earlier stole second base, on to third. That would be the final score as Jonathan Papelbon recorded his fourth save of the season as he threw a scoreless bottom of the ninth, striking out Jason Bartlett, looking, for the game’s final out.

Vance Worley (1-1, 2.37) got the win as he threw seven scoreless innings, giving up four hits and three walks, while he struck a career high eleven batters. Chad Qualls collected his third hold of the year as he threw a scoreless inning, giving up a walk. Jonathan Papelbon received his fourth save of the year as he also threw a scoreless inning, walking a batter. Joe Wieland (0-2, 5.73) took the lost as he went six innings, giving up a run on five hits and a walk, while striking out seven. Luke Gregerson and Andrew Cashner combined for two 1-2-3 innings, striking out a batter (Gregorson) between them. Ernesto Frieri pitched an inning, giving up ann unearned run on a hit, a walk and a passed ball, as he struck out two.

The Phils had only six hits in the ballgame, with Juan Pierre (Single, Triple) and Shane Victorino (Singles) leading the team with two hits apiece. Placido Polanco and Hunter Pence had the other two Phils hits, both singles. Jimmy Rollins had the Phil’s only RBI as he hit a sacrifice fly, while the other Phil run came in on a passed ball, as the Phils continue to waste scoring opportunities when they are presented to them. The Phils also had two walks and a stolen base (Victorino (8)) in the ballgame.

The Phils (6-7, 5th East) continues their series with the Padres (3-11, 5th West) with a night game tonight. The game will be played at Petco Park, and will start at 10:05 pm EDT (7:05 pm PDT). The Phils will send to the mound Cole Hamels (1-1, 3.65), who is coming off a win against the Mets on April 15, as he pitched seven strong innings, giving up two runs on six hits and a walk, while striking out ten, in the Phils’ 8-2 win. He will be going for his second straight win, while trying to give the Phils another pitching gem on this road trip, while hoping that the offense will final get out of its current scoring funk. The Padres will counter with Edinson Volquez (0-1, 4.24), who is coming off a no-decision against the Dodgers on April 15, as he threw five innings, giving up four runs on six hits and five walks, as he struck out only two, in the Padres’ 5-4 lost. He is still looking for his first win, as he hope he can take advantage of the Phils’ present batting troubles. The Phils will be out for their thirteen straight win at Petco Park, after last night setting the club record for the most wins at an opposing ballpark.