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STL@PHI: Doc fans eight over eight strong innings

If his last two starts are any indication, Roy Halladay is getting back to his old self.

The two-time Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star has been sharp in his last two outings, picking up back-to-back wins for the first time since his first two starts of the season. Halladay has allowed just one run on five hits in his past 15 innings.

The Phillies right-hander surrendered just three hits in seven innings on Aug. 4 to the D-backs, and only one run on two hits in eight innings on Friday against the Cardinals.

He'll look to keep that streak going on Wednesday, as the Phillies try for the series sweep against Marlins in Miami. The Fish are mired in a 27-inning scoreless streak.

"To me, it's going out and making pitches," Halladay said. "I've had years where I threw 90, 91 [mph] and had success. It's location, movement, making pitches. For me, one or two miles an hour isn't going to help me. Location and movement is going to help me. So I just need to continue to focus doing that and go out and pitch."

Striking out eight and walking none against the Cardinals, Halladay mixed all of his pitches and got ahead of most hitters. He even retired 16 of the final 17 batters he faced.

"This is the best he's pitched in a while, of course," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said after the contest.

Halladay will be up against Marlins left-hander Mark Buehrle, who is still in search of his 10th victory of the season. He's had at least 10 wins in each of his last 11 seasons, but has had trouble getting to that double-digit mark in his last five games.

Since getting his ninth victory back on July 14, the left-hander has gone 0-3 with a 6.84 ERA.

In his previous outing against the Dodgers, Buehrle tossed six innings, surrendering four runs on seven hits for his 11th loss of the season.

"His changeup hasn't been quite what it's been. He's expressed to me that it feels uncomfortable a little bit," Marlins catcher John Buck said. "I think when you talk about Buehrle, you think of a really good changeup. For him to lose that, it's a big part of him. He got that back on track near the end of his start against the Dodgers, and hopefully that will be the key that gets him Buehrle-like again."

Phillies: Polanco to start rehab stint on Wednesday
• Third baseman Placido Polanco will began a rehab assignment with Class A Clearwater on Wednesday.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said Polanco, who has been on the 15-day disabled list since July 23 because of inflammation in his lower back, is expected to play five or six innings Wednesday with the Threshers.

If all goes according to plan, Polanco will then serve as a designated hitter on Friday, play seven to nine innings on Saturday and then be activated on Monday, rejoining the Phillies in Philadelphia.

Marlins: Brantly makes debut
• Rob Brantly made his MLB debut as the Marlins' starting catcher against the Phillies on Tuesday night at Marlins Park.

The 23-year-old, acquired from the Tigers on July 23 as part of the Anibal Sanchez-Omar Infante trade, shared the moment with his parents, Robert and Yvonne. A couple of his cousins also made the trip, along with his agent, Mike Seal.

"Like any kid who loves baseball, this is like a dream come true," Brantly said. "I'm excited to get out there on the field and show them what I can do. Hopefully I can contribute and help this team."

The catcher went 0-for-3 with a strikeout in Miami's 1-0 loss.

Worth noting
• Jimmy Rollins became the Phillies' all-time leader in games played at shortstop with 1,731 games played at the position, passing Larry Bowa.

• The Phillies have an 19-19 record in one-run games this season. However, in their last nine contests, the Phillies are 8-1.

• In 31 games since the All-Star break, Marlins shortstop Jose Reyes has posted a .352 average (43-for-122).

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