=== Halladay targets team-record ninth straight win ===

Toronto, Ontario (My Sportsbook) - Roy Halladay tries for a team-record ninth straight win tonight when the Toronto Blue Jays continue their three- game interleague set against the Pittsburgh Pirates at SkyDome.

Halladay, who was 19-7 a year ago, started the year 0-2 through his first six starts, but has rebounded to win eight straight to match Roger Clemens' team- record.

The 26-year-old righthander, who has pitched to a 4.13 ERA this year, held the Cincinnati Reds to two runs -- one earned -- on eight hits over eight innings in his last start on Friday. He also struck out seven and walked a pair in his team's 9-2 victory.

This will be his first-ever start against the Pirates.

Pittsburgh will counter with 27-year-old righthander Jeff D'Amico, who is 4-6 on the season with a 4.03 ERA. D'Amico has lost his last two starts, allowing 10 runs over 13 innings in those outings. The St. Petersburg, FL native allowed five runs on seven hits over six innings in an 8-3 loss to the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday.

D'Amico, who has not earned a win in the month of June since 1997, is 1-1 with a 3.18 ERA in two career starts against the Blue Jays.

In Tuesday's series opener, Carlos Delgado and Frank Catalanotto each hit three-run homers and Josh Phelps and Orlando Hudson added solo shots, as Toronto outslugged the Pirates, 13-8.

Phelps finished with three hits and three runs batted in for the Blue Jays, who have won two straight and three of their last four. Catalanotto also had three hits and three runs scored in the victory, while Howie Clark finished 4- for-4 with two runs scored. Toronto has also won four straight at home, scoring in double figures in each of those contests.

Delgado, who leads the majors with 70 RBI, reached 20 home runs for a club- record eighth time - surpassing Joe Carter's mark of seven. He also became the fastest Toronto player to reach 70 RBI, doing it in 64 games. His 34 homers and 99 RBI in interleague play are also a major league best.

Cory Lidle (9-4) earned the win despite giving up seven runs -- six earned -- and 12 hits in six-plus innings of work.

Brian Giles, who has reached base safely in 13 of his last 15 plate appearances, went 3-for-4 with a home run for the Pirates, who lost their third straight game and sixth in seven tries. Aramis Ramirez also homered and extended his hitting streak to a career-high 21 games.

In addition to his hitting streak, Ramirez has struck out just twice in 93 plate appearances.

Kris Benson (5-7) suffered the loss after getting knocked around for eight runs on eight hits in 2 1/3 innings. He walked three and gave up three home runs to record his third loss in four decisions.

Opponents have homered in a season-high eight straight games against Pittsburgh pitchers. During the stretch, the Pirates have surrendered 23 home runs with 13 coming in the last three games.

No Pirates starter has tossed a complete game since June 16, 2002. The 154- game stretch is the longest in the major leagues since the Tampa Bay Devil Rays went 194 games between complete games from April 14-May 19, 2002.

Pittsburgh is 0-31 on the year when trailing after eight innings.

Toronto, which is 3-4 against the Senior Circuit thus far this season, is 15-14 at home on the year.