Phillies 2 - 3 Braves
Final
  for this game

Halladay, Hudson square off in Dixie finale

May 15, 2011 - 2:47 PM

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(Sports Network) - Pitching one day after his 34th birthday, Roy Halladay tries to remain unbeaten in his career against Atlanta. The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner takes the mound this afternoon against Tim Hudson and the rest of the Braves in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Halladay is 4-0 over five games (4 starts) against the Braves in his career with an incredible 1.26 ERA. He won all three of his starts against the Braves last year, including a pair of complete games.

The spot-on right-hander though is coming off a tough loss his last time out, falling to the Marlins despite allowing just two runs -- one earned -- in eight innings. Before that, he had won his previous 13 starts against NL East opponents.

With 66 strikeouts and only nine walks this season, Halladay has continued to show his incredible control and ability to go deep into games. That could be in the offing again today as he has an incredible streak ongoing. Halladay has pitched six or more innings in 58 consecutive starts on the road, the longest streak by any major league pitcher since Walter Johnson threw six or more frames in 82 consecutive road starts from 1911-1915.

Hudson is also coming off a loss Tuesday against Washington, one game after throwing a one-hit shutout vs. Milwaukee. He's 7-7 with a 3.70 ERA in 19 lifetime games against the Phillies. Last season,

The Phillies could be without center fielder Shane Victorino today. He left Saturday's 5-3 loss in the eighth inning with right hamstring soreness. Even though he said he will miss today's contest, Victorino didn't think he suffered a significant injury.

On Saturday, Jair Jurrjens carried a perfect game into the sixth inning and Martin Prado drove in three runs to guide the Braves to victory. Jurrjens (5-0) gave up three runs (two earned) in 7 1/3 innings, allowing only three hits and a walk while striking out six.

It was the right-hander's second victory against the Phillies this week. He limited them to one run in 6 1/3 innings this past Sunday.

"Every game we win against the Phillies is a big one," Jurrjens said. "It's like winning a playoff game."

Prado and Nate McLouth hit back-to-back leadoff homers for Atlanta, which had dropped the series opener by a 5-4 score.

Joe Blanton (1-2) allowed two runs in five innings to take the loss. He gave up only five hits and walked one, but was not pitching with his normal velocity and endured a rough start.

The Phillies have just six hits in their last 30 at-bats (.200) with runners in scoring position.

The season series is even, 4-4.






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