"The Giants would love to join the local airwaves and newspapers here, gleefully yakking about a potential playoff matchup with the Phillies.

But first, they have to get there - and they have to get healthy.

A lineup without Bengie Molina or Pablo Sandoval had almost no fight against Cole Hamels, who pitched a two-hitter while leading the Phillies to a rare 1-0 victory over the Giants at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday night.

The Giants fell out of a tie atop the wild-card standings with the Colorado Rockies, who beat the Mets at Coors Field.

Molina sat out for a seventh consecutive game because of a tight upper-right quadriceps, and Sandoval's troublesome calf compelled manager Bruce Bochy to rest him as a precaution. Also absent was second baseman Freddy Sanchez, who will miss all six games on this trip because his strained left shoulder is healing slowly.

Sandoval, the club's only significant offensive threat, drew a pinch walk in the ninth inning and is expected to play today. But he hobbled around the clubhouse following the game in a walking boot - clearly no condition to begin a September sprint down the stretch.

Giants general manager Brian Sabean acquired a new No. 5 starter in Brad Penny on Monday, but he was unapologetic about coming up empty in a last-minute scan for more offense.

"By the time we got to that point, we were resolved to go with what we had," said Sabean,"