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Phillies eyeing playoff spot

Sep 26, 2007 - 1:08 PM Atlanta (83-74) at Philadelphia (85-72) 7:05 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Just because they are not going to win the division this year, does not mean the Atlanta Braves cannot prevent the Philadelphia Phillies from taking the National League East crown.

The Phillies are looking to close the gap on a playoff position when they host the Braves on Wednesday in the second of a three-game series.

Jimmy Rollins hit a solo homer Tuesday to become the second player in franchise history with 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in the same season but Philadelphia still suffered a 10-6 setback to Atlanta.

The Phillies sit two games behind the slumping New York Mets (87-70) in the NL East and just one game back of the San Diego Padres (86-71) in the wild card race. The Braves remain three games back in the wild card.

Righthander Kyle Lohse (8-12, 4.71 ERA) will get the start for Philadelphia, which has lost back-to-back contests after winning nine of 10. Lohse has not lost in 11 outings - 10 starts - since coming over from the Cincinnati Reds.

The Braves, who have won three straight and eight of their last nine contests, will send Tim Hudson (16-9, 3.34) to the mound. The 32-year-old righthander has lost four of his last five decisions.