PHILADELPHIA — Roy Halladay became Philadelphia’s first 20-game winner in 28 years, Jayson Werth hit a three-run home run and the Phillies increased their lead in the National League East to five games with their ninth consecutive victory, 5-3 over the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night.
Halladay (20-10) allowed 3 runs and 7 hits in 7 innings to reach 20 victories for the third time in his career. Hall of Famer Steve Carlton was the last to do it for the Phillies when he won 23 in 1982. Robin Roberts, another Hall of Famer, was the last right-hander to win 20 for Philadelphia, in 1955.
The two-time defending NL champions are 43-15 since July 21, when they trailed the Braves by seven games. They are 17-3 in September.
The Phillies reduced their magic number to clinch the division to six.
Rookie Mike Minor (3-2) lasted just 2 1 /3 innings in his eighth career start, allowing 3 runs and 7 hits.
Atlanta’s Freddie Freeman hit his first major league home run, a shot off Halladay in the seventh. Freeman was 1 for 13 before he connected.
Ryan Madson tossed a scoreless eighth for Philadelphia and Brad Lidge finished for his 25th save in 30 chances.
Werth gave the Phillies a 3-0 lead in the third with his fourth home run in five games and 25th this season.
Sports, Pages 19 on 09/22/2010