Resurgent New York Mets Pound Phillies

METS 9
PHILLIES 1

The Mets express keeps on rolling.

Winners of eight in a row, the Mets have completely turned their season around after a dreadful 3-7 start to April that saw the Mets languish in last place in the NL East.

After a 9-1 home-stand last week, and a victory in Philadelphia tonight, the Mets are now a game and a half ahead of the Phillies and Nationals for first place in the NL East. That's right the Mets are in first place!!!

Jon Niese was spectaular for the Mets, striking out seven Phillies, and surrendering only four hits. Niese's curveball dazzled all night, buckling the Phillies hitters at the knees; it was Niese's best performance of his young career.

Offensively the Mets brought out the thunder.

In the second inning after a Jason Bay double, David Wright blasted a two run shot to left center to give the Mets a 2-0 lead. Later in the inning, Jeff Francoeur lifted a pitche to deep left for a solo shot to make it 3-0 Metroplitans.

Fast forward to the fifth, and Rod Barajas went yard for the fourth time this year. Barajas cracked a pitch to left center to extend the Mets lead to 4-1. In the seventh, Francoeur took a pitch off his forearm - X-rays were negative, Francoeur is day-to-day. Barajas added to his big night, ripping a double to right to score Francoeur. Angel Pagan followed with a two RBI triple to center to blow it open 7-1.

Barajas would add another solo homer off the left field foul pole, off Brad Lidge.

After one month, the Mets are 14-9 and extended their hold on first in the NL East.