Wed Apr 9 22:51:16 2008

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Mets capitalize on mistakes to end futility against Phils

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Flushing, NY (Sports Network) - Mike Pelfrey pitched five solid innings, and the Mets saw their nine-game losing streak to Philadelphia end in a flurry of errors and walks by the Phillies, as New York prevailed 8-2 in the second of a three-game set.

The Mets lost eight straight to the Phillies down the stretch last season as they blew a seven-game lead in September and saw Philadelphia win the division on the last day of the season.

Pelfrey (1-0) gave up two runs on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks for the Mets, who beat the Phillies for the first time since June 30 of last season. Angel Pagan's two-run double in the third was the big blow for New York, which scored eight runs despite having only five hits thanks to nine walks and four errors by the Phillies.

Kyle Kendrick (1-1) suffered from the poor defense, giving up seven runs -- but only one of them earned -- on four hits in 2 1/3 innings. Kendrick didn't help himself with his control, however, as he issued almost as many walks -- six -- as outs he recorded before being pulled in the third.

Pat Burrell went 2-for-4 and scored for Philadelphia, which had won two in a row. The Phillies played without star shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who sprained his left ankle in Philadelphia's 5-2 win on Tuesday. Eric Bruntlett struggled in his place, committing two crucial errors in New York's six-run third inning.

With the game tied at 1-1 in the third, sloppy defense doomed the Phillies. Carlos Delgado doubled and Ryan Church singled to start the inning, and Damion Easley's single put the Mets on top 2-1. After a Brian Schneider line out, Pelfrey tried to move the runners up with a bunt. Phils catcher Carlos Ruiz had a play at third, but his throw was wide and pulled Pedro Feliz off the bag.

Then Bruntlett booted a Jose Reyes grounder, scoring one run and loading the bases. Pagan then deposited a liner down the left field line, plating two more and sending Kendrick to the showers.

Chad Durbin came on for the Phillies and got David Wright to hit a soft grounder to short, which Bruntlett somehow missed, allowing another run to score. Then Durbin got in on the action, throwing a 59-foot slider that bounced past Ruiz, scoring the sixth Mets run of the inning as New York took a 7-1 lead.

Chase Utley's RBI double in the fifth was the only offensive charge mounted by the Phils. The Mets added a run in the seventh, as Easley crossed home before Ryan Howard tagged Schneider for the third out of the inning.

An Utley error on a Wright grounder allowed the first Mets run to cross in the first inning, while Ruiz singled in a run in the second to tie the game.

Game Notes

The Phillies stopped one win short of their all-time record for consecutive wins over the Mets. In their World Championship season of 1980, Philadelphia won 10 straight games over New York...Rollins had started in 230 consecutive games...The Phillies had also won seven straight at Shea Stadium, dating back to June 5 of last year...Easley played in place of Luis Castillo, who sat with soreness in his right knee.