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Phillies continue pursuit of playoff berth

Sep 25, 2007 - 2:16 PM Atlanta (82-74) at Philadelphia (85-71) 7:05 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) - The Philadelphia Phillies are red-hot and seemed primed to end their 13-year postseason drought.

The Phillies open their season-ending six-game homestand against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday.

Philadelphia has two ways in which it can end the drought. It currently trails the New York Mets (87-69) by two games in the National League East, and they are tied with the San Diego Padres (85-71) for the wild-card lead.

The Phillies, who have won nine of their last 11 games, will look to Jamie Moyer to help them start the homestand off on a good note.

Moyer (13-11, 5.01 ERA) was superb his last outing, allowing one run and seven hits in six innings, but failed to receive a decision in a 2-1 10-inning loss to St. Louis on Wednesday.

The 44-year-old lefthander is 2-1 with a 4.26 ERA in three starts vs. the Braves this season, but is just 3-7 with a 5.08 ERA in 11 games - 10 career starts against them.

Atlanta, which has won seven of eight, sends Chuck James (11-10, 4.11 ERA) to the hill. James yielded just two hits in seven innings in a 5-1 win over Florida on Wednesday. James is 2-0 with a 3.41 ERA in six games - five career starts against Philadelphia.

The Braves are three games back of the Padres in the wild card race.