Jul 4, 2008 - 9:18 AM
0 shoutsNy Mets (42-43) at Philadelphia (47-39) 7:05 pm. EDT
PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Johan Santana aims to avoid a losing a fourth straight start for only the second time in his career on Friday as the New York Mets visit the National League East-leading Philadelphia Phillies in the opener of a four-game series.
New York, which is 8-8 under interim manager Jerry Manuel, enters riding momentum after an 11-1 thrashing of the St. Louis Cardinals on Thursday. Jose Reyes' major league-leading 10th triple sparked a six-run third inning and Carlos Delgado homered.
The only thing that went wrong was third baseman David Wright left in the sixth with a left groin injury suffered when he ducked a line drive while standing on first base. Wright, who leads the Mets with 15 home runs, said he will not miss any time.
"I just went down a little awkwardly, I stretched out and I'm fine," Wright said.
That is a good thing for Santana (7-7, 3.01), who can use all the support he can get. The two-time Cy Young Award winner is 0-4 in his last five starts despite a 2.53 ERA in that span. The lefthander is looking to avoid losing four straight starts for the first time since June 3-18, 2004 - the season he won his first Cy Young with Minnesota.
The Mets trail the Phillies by 4 1/2 games and will try and gain some ground against rookie lefthander J.A. Happ (NR), who is replacing an ineffective Brett Myers in the rotation. Myers accepted a demotion to Class AAA Lehigh. Valley on Tuesday after going 0-3 with a 8.57 ERA in his last five starts.
Happ made one start last season, which coincidentally came against the Mets. The 25-year-old was tagged for five runs and seven hits in four innings of a 8-3 loss on June 30. Happ is 5-6 with a 3.54 ERA in 17 starts with Lehigh.
Philadelphia is coming off a three-game sweep at Atlanta.
From the Bleachers
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NEW YORK: 2
PHILADELPHIA: 3
Final
Jul 4 9:39 PM -
NL
AT PHILADELPHIA - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY SHANE VICTORINO SCORED PEDRO FELIZ.
FINAL SCORE: PHILADELPHIA 3, NY METS 2
Jul 4 9:39 PM -
NL
AT PHILADELPHIA - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY PAT BURRELL SCORED CHASE UTLEY.
SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, P BURRELL ON FIRST, R HOWARD ON SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: NY METS 2
PHILADELPHIA 2 BOTTOM, 6TH
DUE UP FOR PHILADELPHIA: P FELIZ (.265, 0-FOR-2)
Jul 4 8:46 PM -
NL
AT PHILADELPHIA - SCORING UPDATE
SINGLE BY RYAN HOWARD SCORED JAYSON WERTH.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, R HOWARD ON FIRST, C UTLEY ON SECOND, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: NY METS 2
PHILADELPHIA 1 BOTTOM, 6TH
DUE UP FOR PHILADELPHIA: P BURRELL (.276, 0-FOR-2)
Jul 4 8:45 PM -
NL
AT PHILADELPHIA - SCORING UPDATE
BASES LOADED WALK TO DAVID WRIGHT SCORED RAMON CASTRO.
SITUATION: 2 RUNS IN, D WRIGHT ON FIRST, E CHAVEZ ON SECOND, J
REYES ON THIRD, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: NY METS 2
PHILADELPHIA 0 TOP, 5TH
DUE UP FOR NY METS: C BELTRAN (.263, 0-FOR-2)
Jul 4 8:20 PM -
NL
AT PHILADELPHIA - SCORING UPDATE
FIELDER'S CHOICE BY JOSE REYES SCORED DAMION EASLEY.
SITUATION: 1 RUN IN, J REYES ON FIRST, R CASTRO ON THIRD, 2 OUT
CURRENT SCORE: NY METS 1
PHILADELPHIA 0 TOP, 5TH
DUE UP FOR NY METS: E CHAVEZ (.249, 0-FOR-2)
Jul 4 8:14 PM
