HOUSTON -- Reigning NL Cy Young Award winner and eight-time All-Star Roy Halladay tossed a complete-game, six-hit shutout on Wednesday afternoon to help the Philadelphia Phillies clinch a National League playoff berth for the fifth straight season in a 1-0 victory over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park.
The Phillies (95-51), who hold the top record in Major League Baseball, became the first team in either league to secure a playoff spot.
On the other hand, Houston's loss Wednesday was their 98th in 2011, thus setting a new franchise record for most losses in a season.
Halladay (18-5) yielded just one walk while striking out seven over 114 pitches (86 for strikes) en route to becoming the first Phillies pitcher to win 18-plus games in consecutive seasons since Hall of Famer left-hander Steve Carlton in 1979 and 1980.
He lowered his ERA to 2.34, which currently ranks third in the National League behind Clayton Kershaw (2.30) and Johnny Cueto (2.31).
According to ESPN Stats & Information, Halladay's 20 career shutouts rate as the most among active pitchers -- six more than Chris Carpenter.
Phillies center fielder Shane Victorino led off the game with a double to center off Houston right-hander Bud Norris and came around to score the only run on Placido Polanco's RBI single.
That's all Halladay needed.
The Astros had a solid opportunity to change the momentum during the bottom of the second by loading the bases with no outs.
However, Halladay got rookie Jose Altuve to ground into a fielder's choice to third, causing Carlos Lee to be thrown out at the plate.
Humberto Quintero grounded into a double play to end the inning.
Houston's only other scoring threat was in the seventh, as Jimmy Paredes led off with a single and advanced to second on Altuve's sacrifice bunt.
Paredes made it to third on Quintero's ground out to second, but pinch-hitter Matt Downs ultimately struck out to strand the rookie.
Norris (6-10) allowed just an earned run on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts over seven innings in a tough losing effort.
"It was a tough one," Norris said. "Four pitches into the game and I'm down 1-0. Halladay is a tough opponent. It's a close game and a tough battle. You've got to go out there against anybody. Sometimes, you're going to win 5-4, 1-0, or even lose 1-0.
"You've got to keep the same mindset and keep the game close in order to give the team an opportunity to win. That's all I can do."
Relievers Wilton Lopez and Wesley Wright collaborated for two scoreless innings to give the Astros one final shot in the ninth.
Halladay threw a perfect ninth to close the door on Houston.
The Phillies, who had a three-game losing streak, avoided being swept Wednesday after dropping the first two games to Houston.
Despite the loss, Houston has won three of their last five, with Brett Myers, J.A. Happ and Norris tossing three straight stellar starts.
The Astros are idle Thursday before kicking off a six-game road trip, beginning Friday afternoon against the Chicago Cubs.
Wandy Rodriguez (11-10, 3.51 ERA) will get the starting nod in the opener versus Chicago right-hander Matt Garza (8-10, 3.54 ERA).
First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CT.
For the latest Astros news, click on the Subscribe button at the top of the page. Also, be sure to follow Houston Astros Examiner Stephen Goff on Facebook and Twitter, or email sgoff80@yahoo.com.
Comments