Phillies own Atlanta, finish 9 for 9 against Braves in the ATL

(AP Photo/John Bazemore)

The Phillies continue to roll by beating the teams they are supposed to, like the lowly Atlanta Braves. The Phils completed their third 3 game sweep of the Braves in Atlanta this season, making it 9 victories over the Braves in Atlanta, a record sweep for any visiting team playing the Braves. To say the Phillies own the Braves this season is fair, considering their 13-2 record overall against them. The win was also the 7th in a row for the Phillies who managed to stay a half game ahead of the Mets, who also won again today.

The Phils won Thursdays game 4-3 on the strength of a quality outing by Cole Hamels, who pitched 6 innings and gave up two runs while striking out 5. Offensively, the Phillies scored early on a Jayson Werth double and MVP Ryan Howard's sacrifice fly in the first inning and then Pat Burrell homered in the 6th and they never looked back.

Up next for the Phils is the Florida Marlins, a team that the Phillies have not had as much success against. The Phils record against Florida is 6-9 and they have lost 4 of the 5 series they have played with the Marlins. The Mets get to play the Braves next so the Phillies will have to step it up if they want to stay in first place. Luckily, the Phils still have 3 more games with the Braves coming up next week. Here is the remaining schedule for the three teams vying for two playoff spots in the NL:

Phillies: 3 @ Marlins, 3 vs. Braves, 3 vs. Nationals

Mets: 3 @ Braves, 4 vs. Cubs, 3 vs. Marlins

Brewers: 3 @ Reds, 3 vs. Pirates, 3 vs. Cubs