"It's a delicate balance for a pitching staff that craves innings, such as the Phillies' starting rotation.

Three Phillies starters lead the National League in innings pitched -- Roy Halladay (1752¼3), Cole Hamels (172) and Cliff Lee (172).

But, with a likely postseason looming and a World Series title within range, how many is too many?

That question surfaced after Hamels' control and velocity were compromised in a 4-2 loss to the Washington Nationals Friday night at Citizens Bank Park.

On Saturday, Phillies pitching coach Rich Dubee didn't seem concerned, saying, "Guys go through stretches like that." Dubee attributed Hamels' ineffectiveness to the length of the season, travel and "workload."

Hamels' five-inning outing was his fourth shortest in 25 starts this year. He allowed six hits, four walks -- which equaled a season high -- and three runs (all earned).

Afterward, Hamels described a difficulty in getting loose, and manager Charlie Manuel termed it "shoulder stiffness."

Dubee and Manuel both said Saturday that the Phillies wouldn't rule out the possibility of going with a six-man rotation later in the season to rest those starters for the anticipated postseason. The Phillies have just three scheduled off days remaining, with one between Aug. 26 and the last regular-season game on Sept. 28

"We want them as sharp as we can get them and we want them as well-rested as possible," Manuel said. "At the same time, if we don't get to October, what good is rest for them? ... We haven't gotten there yet."

Manuel agrees that pitchers can have "dead-arm periods," as Hamels suggested may be the case with him."