The Phils drop one as they are three-hit by Jason Vargas of the Mariners, losing 2-0.

The Phils are shutout as they are three-hit by Jason Vargas, losing to the Mariners, 2-0.

The first five and one-half innings of the game was a pitchers’ duel between Mariners’ starter Jason Vargas, as he gave up only two hits and two walks, while striking out four for six innings, and Phils’ starter Cole Hamels, who spent five innings giving up just two hits, as he struck out six, getting his 1000th career strikeout with the sixth one. The Mariners then took the lead in their half of the sixth as, with a runner on second, and with one man out, Justin Smoak hits an RBI single, scoring Ichiro Suzuki, who had earlier singled, moved up to second base on Brendan Ryan’s ground out, 6-3, giving the Mariners a 1-0 lead. The Mariners then increased their lead in the seventh as, with a man on third, and with one man out, pinch hitter Adam Kennedy hits an RBI single, knocking in Dustin Ackley, who had earlier tripled, the first triple of his career, giving the Mariners a 2-0 lead. That would be the final score as Vargas would throw a complete game shut out.

Cole Hamels (9-3, 2.51) took the lost as he went six and one-third innings, giving up two runs on seven hits, while he would strike out six, including his 1000th career strikeout. Jose Contreras pitched two-thirds of an inning, getting out the only man that he would face as part of a doubleplay. David Herndon pitched a scoreless inning, giving up a hit and a walk. Jason Vargas (5-4, 3.75) got the win as he pitched a complete game shutout, giving up three hits and two walks, while he would strike out six.

The Phils had only three hits in the game, with Ryan Howard leading the team with two hits, both singles. Ben Francisco had the other Phil hit, a single, as Vargas kept the Phils’ bats under control.

The Phils (45-28, 1st East) will have the day off tomorrow, before facing the Cardinals (40-33, T-1st Central) on Tuesday night in St. Louis for three.