The New York Mets responded to a demand for improvement with a 7-4 victory over National League East rivals the Philadelphia Phillies, shaking off the poor form that led to seven losses in 10 games. The Mets scored five runs in the first three innings off the Phillies starter Chan Ho Park, while Mike Pelfrey improved to 3-0 as New York opened the series against the World Series champions on a positive note.
Before the game, the Mets general manager Omar Minaya made comments about his team lacking an "edge" which appeared to grab his players' attention. "It's just not true," New York third baseman David Wright said. "I really enjoy going to battle with these guys every day. I'm glad they're on my side because we've got some guys that are gamers and who really want to win." Right-hander Pelfrey went five and a third innings and allowed three runs while driving in two at the plate before turning it over to his bullpen, where JJ Putz and Francisco Rodriguez safely negotiated the final two innings.
Chase Utley hit his eighth home run of the year and Raul Ibanez had two RBIs for the Phillies, who fell behind after Park allowed seven runs and issued six walks in 4 2/3 innings. "He's been inconsistent and he's had a rough going," the Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said of Park. "I think you have to show patience with players but I think our pitching has to get better." Daniel Murphy hit a two-run home run in the first and the Mets got three sacrifice-fly scores in the next two innings to take a winning 5-0 lead from which they never looked back.
* Reuters