Mets Sweep Phillies, Move To Second In NL East

By Justin Worsley

The New York Mets did the impossible. During a three-game series, the Mets silenced the bats of the Philadelphia Phillies, preventing the high-scoring offense from scoring a single run in any of the three games while scoring 16 runs themselves. The last time the Mets shut out an opponent during the three-games series was in September 1969 also against Philadelphia.

During Thursday night's 3-0 win at Citi Field, Phillies left-handed pitcher Cole Hamels (5-3) gave up an early run in the first-inning off of a double by Jason Bay. After that, it was a pitcher's duel between Hamels and Mets right-handed pitcher Mike Pelfrey (7-1.) Hamels pitched 6.1 innings, striking out three Mets batters while only walking one.

The Mets infield was a key component of the shutout, ending the third, fourth and fifth inning all on double plays. The Phillies started to get desperate in the seventh inning, having outfielder Raul Ibanez attempt his first stolen base of the season. He was nowhere near second base when Luis Castillo tagged him out.

New York has suddenly become the hottest team in the AL East. The Mets took down cross-town rivals the New York Yankees last weekend, winning two of the three games. Within the past week, the Mets have ascended from last-place in the NL East to being only two games behind Philadelphia for the division lead.

Pelfrey rebounded well against the Phillies, his last start against Philadelphia was on May 1 where the Mets were blown out for a 10-0 loss, his only loss of the season. Pelfrey pitched seven innings, tacking on five strikeouts.

The Mets sealed the game in the seventh-inning when shortstop Jose Reyes launched a double deep into left field for his third hit of the day. The hit propelled catcher Henry Blanco and pinch-hitter Fernando Tatis home.

Despite three hits off of the bat of Shane Victorino, the Phillies were out-hit by New York 9-4. The only other batter from Philadelphia to garner a base-hit was a single down the middle of the field by Ibanez. New York out-hit the Phillies 29-20 for the series.

The Mets will continue to try and claw their way to the division lead tomorrow at Milwaukee. Johan Santana, the Mets ace will face off against Brewers pitcher Yovani Gallardo.