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Brewers take on Braves, try to narrow playoff deficit

Sep 21, 2007 - 2:24 PM Milwaukee (78-74) at Atlanta (80-73) 7:08 pm EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Milwaukee Brewers will need Prince Fielder to continue his offensive onslaught for 10 more days if they want to reach the postseason for the first time in 25 years.

Fielder and the Brewers look to narrow their deficit in the National League Central Division when they continue a four-game series with the Atlanta Braves on Friday.

The Brewers, who trail the Chicago Cubs (80-73) by 1 1/2 games in the division, have lost back-to-back games - including a 3-1 loss to the Braves in Thursday's series opener.

Fielder, a top candidate for the league MVP, had his 17-game hit streak snapped in the contest. The slugging first baseman still leads the NL with 47 home runs and is fourth with 112 RBI.

The 23-year-old Fielder already owns the Brewers' single-season record for homers and needs 14 RBI to tie the franchise RBI mark for Milwaukee, which has not appeared in the playoffs since 1982.

Milwaukee gives the ball to righthander Carlos Villanueva (8-4, 4.11 ERA) on Friday.

Villanueva, who has won two of his last three starts, allowed six hits over seven scoreless innings in his last outing Sunday. The 23-year-old struck out four and walked three, leading Milwaukee to a 5-2 victory over the Cincinnati Reds.

Atlanta counters with Tim Hudson (16-8, 3.33), who rebounded from three straight losses by tossing his 10th career shutout in his last start.

Hudson was masterful in his outing on Sunday, allowing just seven hits while striking out four against the Washington Nationals. The righthander logged seven strong innings to win his only outing vs. Milwaukee this season and owns a 2-1 record in four career starts against the Brewers.