Phillies Vs. D'Backs Final Score: Hamels Goes 8 Innings As Philadelphia Wins Rubber Match 7-2

Cole Hamels gave up two earned runs over eight innings as the Phillies won the rubber match against the Diamondbacks 7-2 on Wednesday in Arizona.

After losing three games in a row, the Phillies have won their last two. Placido Polanco went 3-for-3 with an RBI, two runs scored and two walks. Hunter Pence went 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored. Hamels went 1-for-4 at the plate with two RBIs.

The Philles led 1-0 until the sixth inning, when they scored five runs to break the game open. Juan Pierre scored on a wild pitch and Pence, Carlos Ruiz and Hamels each had singles to score runs. Arizona starter Trvor Cahill was chased after 5 1/3 innings. Michael Schwimer pitched a perfect ninth inning to pick up the save for the Phillies.

Phillies Vs D'Backs: 3 HRs Power Phils Over D'Backs 8-5

The Phillies turned back the clock to 2009 and used the longball to win a game. The Phils hit three blasts to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 8-5 at Chase Field.

Both Hunter Pence and Laynce Nix hit two-run shots in the fourth inning to get the Phils up the early. Shane Victorino lead off the eighth with a solo homer.

It was a big night for Pence, who only hours before was undergoing an MRI for fear that he’d injured his shoulder diving for a ball in the San Diego series. Evidently the MRI came back negative and hopefully Pence started to break out of his slump.

Vance Worley had a strong outing fanning six over six innings and allowing just one run. Jose Contreras was tagged for three runs in the 7th, but Jonathon Papelbon pitched a perfect 9th for his sixth save of the season.

D’Backs starter Josh Collmenter gave up 6 runs and 9 hits over 6 innings to take the loss.

Hunter Pence Injury Update: MRI Scheduled Tuesday For Pence's Shoulder

Ryan Howard still hasn't been cleared for baseball activities, Chase Utley is just beginning to return to the practice diamond, and now Hunter Pence is scheduled for an MRI on his hurting left shoulder.

It's a bad time to be a Philadelphia Phillies slugger.

The team announced on Tuesday that Pence will have "a precautionary MRI" in Phoenix on Tuesday, with hopes that the results will be known in time for the team's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.

The rightfielder, who struggled batting out of the gates like most of his teammates, injured himself while diving for a ball in the outfield Sunday against the San Diego Padres. He sat out Monday's 9-5 loss to Arizona, but has not been placed on the disabled list as the Phillies hope the MRI reveals no damage.

For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out The Good Phight and SB Nation Philly for all your news and updates.

Chase Utley Injury Update: Phillies Second Basemen Practices Before Monday's Game

The Philadelphia Phillies lost to the Arizona Diamondback on Monday, however, lost in the shuffle of Philly's fourth straight loss was the return of second basemen Chase Utley to the diamond. Utley, who hasn't played yet this season because of a knee injury, wasn't in the lineup but he did take battling practice and fielded ground balls before Monday's contest.

"I'm not happy that I'm not playing," Utley, 33, said. "But I'm looking at it from a positive, like I always have. I've definitely gained strength over the past three weeks."

According to Matt Gelb of the Philadelphia Inquirer, Utley has been rehabbing in Phoenix at Fischer Sports Therapy and has gone from having a sting of pain every time he took the field in Spring Training to having no pain, just soreness, on Monday.

Utley did not reveal a timetable for his return, but Gelb hints that it maybe around the same amount of time as he missed in 2011 (46 games).

"I'd like to be back right now," Utley said. "I have to listen to my body, and right now it's telling me to continue to move forward with the things I'm doing. I don't want to put a certain date on it because I don't want to force something that's not ready to happen. When my knee is ready to go, I'll be out there."

Phillies Vs. Diamondbacks, Game 2: Game Time, TV Coverage And Pitching Match-Up

The Philadelphia Phillies will look to snap a three-game losing streak Tuesday, as they face host Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 2 of a three-game set at Chase Field (9:40 p.m. ET on Comcast Sports Network). Philadelphia (7-10) turns to Vance Worley to snap a West Coast skid that's featured a 3-5 record.

Worley (1-1, 2.37 ERA) will oppose Josh Collmenter (0-1, 10.22 ERA), who in his first two starts gave up 10 earned runs in seven innings.

The hope is that Collmenter could be the solution to the Phillies offensive woes, which has featured just 48 runs -- the second-fewest total in baseball.

Location: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ

Game Time: 9:40 p.m. ET

TV Information: Comcast Sports Network

Radio: 94 WIP

Series: Arizona won Game 1 and leads series 1-0

Pitching Match-Up: Vance Worley (PHI) vs. Josh Collmenter (ARI).

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Joe Thurston Released By Philadelphia Phillies Organization, Mike Fontenot Assigned To Triple-A

The Philadelphia Phillies have released Joe Thurston from the minor leagues and assigned Mike Fontenot to Triple-A after extended spring training, the Philadelphia Inquirer's Matt Gelb reported on Monday.

Thurston, 32, was signed on March 28 after being released by the Houston Astros during spring training. The veteran journeyman had not played significant time in the majors since 2009, when he hit .225 with one home run and 25 RBI in 267 at-bats with the St. Louis Cardinals. He was hitting .207 with Triple-A Lehigh Valley at the time of his release.

Fontenot was likewise signed after being released by another ball club. The 31-year old utility infielder hit .227 with four home runs and 21 RBI with the San Francisco Giants last season. He was released by the Giants in spring training partially due to his waning production.

For more on the Philadelphia Phillies, please be sure to check out our blog The Good Phight and SB Nation Philly for all the latest news and updates.

Phillies Vs. Diamondbacks: Kyle Kendrick Gets The Start In Place Of Cliff Lee

The Phillies will look to get on the right track in Arizona against Wade Miley and the Diamondbacks.