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Phillies aim for four-game sweep of Padres

Jul 25, 2011 - 2:57 PM (Sports Network) - The Philadelphia Phillies try to continue their recent dominance of the San Diego Padres this afternoon when they go for a sweep in the finale of the four-game set at Citizens Bank Park.

Backed by eight solid innings from Roy Halladay on Sunday, the Phillies beat the Padres for the 10th straight time in a 5-3 win.

Halladay (12-4) returned to the mound for the first time since leaving Monday's game in Chicago due to heat exhaustion after just four-plus innings. It marked the right-hander's shortest outing since he pitched three frames for Toronto against Florida on June 12, 2009.

The oppressive conditions at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday mirrored those at Wrigley Field, with the game-time temperature at 94 degrees.

Halladay gave up two earned runs on eight hits with eight strikeouts and matched Cole Hamels for the team lead in wins. It was also Philadelphia's 17th in their last 19 meetings against the Padres.

"He pitched pretty good. He was better at the end than he was at the beginning," said Philadelphia manager Charlie Manuel about Halladay, who retired the final 10 batters he faced.

Tim Stauffer (6-7) absorbed the loss and gave up five runs and eight hits in 5 2/3 innings.

It doesn't figure to get much easier for San Diego this afternoon when it goes up against left-hander Cliff Lee, who is a brilliant 7-1 at home this season, while pitching to a 1.61 ERA.

Lee did not get a decision on Tuesday in Chicago, but pitched well, allowing two runs and eight hits in six innings of a 4-2 win. He also struck out six without walking a batter.

For his career Lee is just 1-1 with a 4.05 ERA in four starts versus the Padres. He was 1-1 against them last year, surrendering 10 earned runs in 13 1/3 innings.

San Diego will counter with veteran Aaron Harang, who has been a silver lining in what has otherwise been a disappointing season for the Padres. Harang won his fourth straight decision on Wednesday in Florida, as he allowed three runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 frames to improve to 8-2 to go along with a 3.29 ERA.

Harang, who hasn't lost since May 2, is 2-2 versus the Phillies, but has pitched to a 5.22 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) against them.

Philadelphia is 25-10 in day games, including 14-3 at home.