The Braves clinched a series victory on Sunday afternoon against the Phillies, riding an excellent performance from Tim Hudson to a 2-1 win. Atlanta finishes the year 12-8 against their National League East foes and cut their magic number down to two games.
Hudson was terrific against a red-hot Phillies lineup, tossing 7 1/3 innings of one-run ball. He gave up just two hits and one walk, striking out four. The run he allowed was unearned, dropping his ERA to 3.61 this season.
Cliff Lee struggled a bit in the early going but really settled in late, working eight innings. He surrendered two runs (one earned) on nine hits. Lee struck out 11.
David Ross plated the first run of the game with a deep homer to center field in the second inning. Dan Uggla then drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the third to make it 2-0 in Atlanta's favor. Chase Utley hit a sac fly of his own in the sixth to plate Jimmy Rollins in the sixth.
After Hudson departed in the eighth, Eric O'Flaherty tossed a perfect 2/3 of an inning. Craig Kimbrel then worked a 1-2-3 ninth to secure a victory and his 39th save of the year.
Depending on whether or not the Brewers win, the magic number could be down to one after Sunday.
The Braves have an off-day on Monday before returning to Turner Field for a six-game home stand. The Marlins will be up first.