Kyle Kendrick(8-5,4.45) became the latest pitcher to dominate the lifeless and anemic Mets hitters Sunday night as the Phillies won 3-1 at Citi Field. The Philadelphia RH pitched into the 7th, allowing only a solo home run to SS Jose Reyes in the 3rd while CF Shane Victorino had 3 hits, a run and rbi for the winners. Sparkplug SS Jimmy Rollins scored the games first run after a two out single, he stole 2 bases, Victorino then doubled him home. Reyes had two of the 6 Mets hits as this floundering team continues to waste outstanding pitching almost nightly with an offense that could not power a fleas moped. The team went 0 for 5 with runners in scoring position(3 for 34 in the series), losing the series 2-1 while going 3-3 in this 6 game home stand. How “offensive” has the Mets hitting been? The three wins this week? All 1-0 wins!!! NY is now 58-59 on the season,falling to 36-22 at home.
The good news? RH Mike Pelfrey pitched well for his 2nd consecutive start and like so many of his fellow starters he deserved better! Pelfrey(11-7,3.95) allowed 7 hits and 3 runs over 7 innings while striking out one, the big righty threw 113 pitches(67 strikes). LH Pedro Feliciano(2-6,4 holds, 3.12), RH Bobby Parnell(0-1,4 holds,3.74) and LH Hisanori Takahashi(7-6,3 holds, 4.20) tossed the 8th and 9th without further damage.
Kendrick was good for the Phillies and the clueless Mets hitters could not find a way to string together an attack. Over 6 and two thirds, the righty allowed 6 hits and the lone run with a walk and 4 Ks. Set up RHs Chad Durbin(3-1,10 holds,3.49) and Ryan Madson(4-1,5 holds,3.58) got the game to closer Brad Lidge in the 9th. The veteran Lidge tossed a perfect frame to earn his 16th save in 20 chances and put the Mets 10 games behind the 1st place Atlanta Braves.
METS STARTING LINE-UP: Reyes, RF Angel Pagan, 3B David Wright, CF Carlos Beltran, 1B Ike Davis, LF Chris Carter, C Josh Thole, 2B Luis Castillo, Pitcher
GAME NOTES: C Rod Barajas should return from the DL stint Tuesday in Houston. Skipper Jerry Manuel maintains Thole will be the primary catcher…. Mets are 10-19 post all star break and are hitting .212 in the 2nd half…. Davis escaped serious injury when he attempted to make one of his patented circus catches of a foul ball by the Mets dugout railing in the 8th inning… Phillies stole 3 bases on Thole with Victorino swiping #3… Reyes lead off the game with a single and was called out attempting to steal 2nd. Replays showed he was safe and Manuel argued briefly…. Weather was an issue all day with heavy rains taking a toll on the field
NEXT GAME:
MONDAY, Start 4 game series vs Houston at Minute Maid Park in Texas
8:05
Astros LH Wandy Rodriquez(9-11,4.18) vs. Mets LH Jon Niese(7-5,3.50)
