While the Phillies were almost the victims of a no-hitter Thursday at Citizen’s Bank Park, starting pitcher Cole Hamels was hit by a liner off the bat of Prince Fielder in the fourth inning.

The ball hit Hamels near his left shouler, which also happens to be his pitching arm. The Phillies later said Hamels suffered a left shouler contusion, which forced him to leave the game.

Hamels had looked sharp early, throwing three scoreless innings while striking out six. Hamels faced 10 batters, and struck out six of them.

Unfortunately he gave up a two-run home run to Ryan Braun before getting hit by Fielder’s line drive.

J.A. Happ relieved Hamels, and gave up three innings in 1 1/3 innings pitched. The Phillies pitching continues to struggle this season. Hamels’ three scoreless innings to start the game Thursday was the second longest a starter has gone without giving up a run this season. The longest period was Wednesday, when Joe Blanton went four innings before allowing a run. Every Phillies starter has allowed at least one homerun in each of their starts this season.

The Brewers’ Dave Bush, on the other hand, took a no hitter into the eighth inning before Matt Stairs hit a towering pinch hit home run. Bush gave up just one run on two hits in 7 2/3 innings.

The loss puts the Phillies at 6-8, four and a half games back of the Florida Marlins, who they visit starting tomorrow night. The Fish are a major league best 11-4, and are 5-1 at home.