Delgado lifts Mets over Phillies 3-1, into 1st

[July 25, 2008]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Carlos Delgado hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning and Oliver Perez stifled the Philadelphia Phillies again, helping the New York Mets earn a 3-1 win Thursday that gave them sole possession of first place in the NL East.

Perez struck out 12 in 7 2-3 innings, and Billy Wagner got three outs for his second save in as many days. The Mets took two of three in the series after blowing a three-run lead in the ninth inning of the opener, putting them alone in first place for the first time since April 19.

New York improved to 9-4 against the Phillies this year, after going 6-12 against them last season and losing the final eight meetings.

Eric Bruntlett, subbing for Jimmy Rollins, had three hits for the Phillies, who rallied for an 8-6 win in the series opener against New York but struggled to score after that.

Rollins was a late scratch from the starting lineup -- the Phillies didn't immediately announce a reason -- and grounded out as a pinch hitter with a runner on to end the game.

Wagner earned his 26th save after missing the opener with a sore left shoulder.

Delgado hit a two-strike pitch from J.C. Romero (4-3) with two outs in the eighth inning into the left-field corner to drive in Robinson Cancel and David Wright, who was intentionally walked before the big first baseman came to the plate.

Left-handed hitters were 5-for-68 (.074) against Romero this season before Delgado's clutch hit, which made the slugger 3-for-18 lifetime against the Phillies' reliever.

Perez fired a called strike past Bruntlett at 12:10 p.m. in the unusual early start. Sections of summer-camp kids provided streaks of color in the upper deck of Shea Stadium, and construction workers at new Citi Field watched a few innings from beyond the center-field wall.

The kids and workers in hard hats were treated to terrific pitching performances by the 26-year-old Perez and 45-year-old Jamie Moyer.

Perez ran his scoreless streak against Philadelphia to 24 1-3 innings before Jayson Werth led off the seventh with a long drive to center that hit the top tier of a camera tower. His 13th homer of the season tied it at 1 and was just the fourth earned run allowed by Perez in his last four starts.

Perez departed after hitting Ryan Howard with a pitch to load the bases with two outs in the eighth. The left-hander ran off the mound -- his usual custom -- as the crowd saluted him with a long ovation.

Aaron Heilman (1-3) came in and got Werth to fly out to center to end the inning.

Moyer retired eight of his first nine batters before running into trouble in the third, hurt by an uncharacteristic lapse in control. Jose Reyes walked with two outs and stole second. Moyer then walked rookie Nick Evans and Wright lined his next pitch into left for an RBI single.

Evans went to third on Burrell's throw into the infield, but Moyer got Delgado to ground out to second to end the inning.

Moyer set down 13 of the last 14 hitters he faced and allowed one run and two hits in seven innings.

Notes: Moyer entered with just 34 walks in 120 innings this season. ... Mets manager Jerry Manuel said the club has had discussions about who will start Saturday's game against St. Louis. "It will be, obviously, somebody from our system," he said. RHP Brian Stokes started for Triple-A New Orleans on Monday and would be on regular rest, and RHP Ruddy Lugo could be pushed back a day after pitching for the Zephyrs on Sunday. New York also could look to a lower level of the minors. ... Manuel isn't sure when RHP Pedro Martinez will rejoin the team. Martinez was traveling to the Dominican Republic after the death of his father. ... Howard needs one more homer to become the third Phillies player to hit 30 or more in three consecutive seasons. Hall of Famers Chuck Klein and Mike Schmidt are the other two sluggers.

[Associated Press; By JAY COHEN]

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