Utley breaks hand in Phillies’ 7-6 loss

The Philadelphia Phillies lost more than a game.

Chase Utley, Philadelphia’s All-Star second baseman, broke his right hand in Thursday’s 7-6 defeat by the Washington Nationals.

Utley was hit in the fifth inning by John Lannan, who was making his major league debut. Utley finished the game, going two for four, but X-rays afterward showed he broke a bone in the hand.

Utley planned to see a specialist today to determine the first step in his recovery.

“As breaks go, it’s not that bad of a break,” Utley said. “It’s definitely disappointing.”

Utley, batting .336 with 17 homers and 82 runs batted in, didn’t think he’d be sidelined for a month.

“I think it will be sooner than that,” he said.

Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel said Abraham Nunez probably will replace Utley at second base.

“Chase is a big part of this team,” Manuel said. “He’s one of our best players, both on defense and offense. We’re going to fight our way through this.”

Jesus Flores hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the eighth as the Nationals avoided a three-game sweep.