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Phillies target seventh straight triumph

Sep 18, 2008 - 10:21 AM Philadelphia (85-67) at Atlanta (67-85) 7:10 p.m. EDT

ATLANTA (Ticker) -- Ryan Howard's recent run not only has fueled his candidacy for a second National League MVP Award, but his hot bat may also propel the Philadelphia Phillies to their second straight NL East title.

Howard and the Phillies aim to continue their season-high six-game winning streak on Thursday when they eye a sweep of the Atlanta Braves.

Philadelphia defeated Atlanta for the eighth straight time on Wednesday, a 6-1 triumph. The Phillies got a first-inning RBI single from Howard and six strong innings from rookie J.A. Happ to remain a half-game ahead of the Mets (84-67) in the division.

Lately though, that is the least of what the 2006 NL MVP has provided. Howard, who leads the majors with 45 homers and 137 RBI, has 11 home runs and 29 RBI over his last 21 games.

He has been at his best against Atlanta. The lefty slugger is batting .373 (22-for-59) with six home runs and 22 RBI in 14 games.

That kind of production should come as good news to Cole Hamels (13-9, 3.11 ERA), who is 2-0 with a 2.11 ERA in three starts against the Braves this season. In Saturday's 7-3 victory over the Brewers, the lefthander allowed two runs and six hits over 6 1/3 innings for his fourth win in his last decisions.

The Braves will counter with Mike Hampton (2-2, 5.34), who will be looking for his first decision - win or loss - in four starts this month. The 36-year-old lefthander left after six innings in Saturday's 3-2 win over the Mets after permitting two runs and six hits with a season-high five walks.