Mets Outlast Phillies, Extend Winning Streak To Four

METS 7

PHILLIES 5

What a difference a week makes!

Just a week ago, Met fans were ready to jump off the RFK Bridge as the club was struggling to get back to .500 and looked more and more like a team without heart. Well, in what has been the most successful week of the season so far, the Mets are now 14-13 and are a half a game out of first place in the NL East.

The Mets ripped apart Jamie Moyer early in this contest. Like they did Monday, it was Carlos Beltran and David Wright who inflicted the damage. With Luis Castillo already on base with a walk, Beltran blasted a two run shot over the 16 foot wall in left field to give the Mets a 2-1 lead. Later, Wright blasted another two run shot to straight away center field, just a few feet away from the new Mets Home Run Apple in center to give New York a 4-1 lead.

Fast forward to the second inning; the Mets were not done pulverizing Moyer. Jose Reyes' solo shot to the left field corner gave the Mets a 5-1 lead, and Ramon Castro's two run double in the third gave the Metropolitans a seemingly comfortable 7-1 advantage.

Mike Pelfrey was decent tonight allowing three runs on eight hits through seven innings, but once again failed to strike out a batter. For a guy who struck out 110 batters last season, it is a bit disturbing that Pelfrey has lost some of that speed to blow by hitters. At least he is still a ground ball pitcher.

In the eighth things got really hairy for the Mets; so, what else is new? Shane Victorino was caught in a pick off play at first base, but the sneaky outfielder intentionally ran into Jose Reyes to make it look like Reyes interfered with the play. The umpire didn't see that it was Victorino who was at fault, and awarded Victorino first base. As a result, Mets manager Jerry Manuel was tossed from the game for arguing the call afterwards. Box Score.

Moments later, Jayson Werth, who went 4 for 4 on the day, laced a two run home run to left off of Pedro Feliciano to cut the Mets lead, 7-5. But, let not your heart be troubled; Francisco Rodriguez came into the ninth and shut the door on the Phillies to earn his ninth save of the season.