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Braves aim to avoid sweep against Phillies

Jul 3, 2008 - 1:23 PM Philadelphia (46-39) at Atlanta (40-45), 7:00 p.m. EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- The Atlanta Braves have not enjoyed playing the rival Philadelphia Phillies this season.

The Braves attempt to avoid losing their seventh consecutive contest to their National League East foe when they host the Phillies on Thursday in the finale of a three-game series.

Ryan Howard smashed a three-run homer and Pat Burrell added a solo shot to lead Philadelphia to a 7-3 win over Atlanta on Wednesday. Playing at first base, Howard did make two fielding errors in the ninth inning that allowed the Braves to load the bases with two outs.

The Phillies appear to have the antidote to the Braves' winning formula at home, posting a 5-0 record at Turner Field this season. Atlanta, which is 28-11 against the rest of the majors at home, is just 1-7 against Philadelphia this season.

It won't get any easier for the Braves in this one, as they go up against Phillies ace Cole Hamels (8-5, 3.28 ERA), who allowed four runs over seven frames in Saturday's 8-6 triumph over the Texas Rangers.

Hamels will be opposed by righthander Jair Jurrjens (8-3, 2.94), who is hoping to win his fifth consecutive decision.

The 22-year-old Jurrjens tossed eight outstanding innings during Friday's 4-0 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays. He yielded just three hits and one walk with three strikeouts.