• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers

Utley's 2nd homer of game leads Phillies over Mets

Jun 11, 2009 - 9:14 AM By MIKE FITZPATRICK AP Baseball Writer

NEW YORK(AP) -- Chase Utley got another chance to hit only because Jayson Werth made a dazzling play on defense.

The right fielder took a big gamble and saved his team with a diving catch, moments before Utley's second homer of the game sent the Philadelphia Phillies to a 5-4 victory over the New York Mets in 11 innings Wednesday night.

With a speedy runner on first and two outs in the 10th, Werth made a sensational grab of David Wright's sinking liner in the right-center gap. If the ball gets by, Fernando Martinez probably scores the winning run. But rather than play it safe and glove a single on one hop, Werth went all out.

"It was just one of those deals where I thought it was worth it," he said. "When the ball came out of the lights I thought, ohh, it's much closer than I expected. When I dove for it, I didn't expect to catch it."

Somehow he did, and then Utley led off the 11th with his 15th home run - and third in two nights.

All three nestled into the right-field corner at spacious Citi Field. This one came on the second pitch from Bobby Parnell (2-1), handing the hard-throwing rookie his first big league loss.

In fact, it's the only home run Parnell has allowed in 29 career innings.

"Fastball in. The pitch he was looking for," Parnell said. "He's a good hitter. That's the pitch he wanted and that's what he wanted to do with it."

New York built a three-run lead against World Series MVP Cole Hamels, who faced the Mets for the first time since calling them "choke artists" in the offseason - the latest in a series of verbal barbs between the NL East rivals.

Helped by Wright's error at third base, the Phillies rallied against Pelfrey and the New York bullpen to tie it 4-all in the seventh. The Mets have lost six times this season after leading by at least three runs.

Chan Ho Park (2-1) worked two scoreless innings for the win. Subbing for injured closer Brad Lidge, Ryan Madson got three quick outs for his third save.

The Mets stranded a season-high 16 runners, eight from innings seven through 10. Still, they nearly won it on Wright's shot toward the gap.

"He took his chances, dove for the ball and made an unbelievable play," New York's Carlos Beltran said.

Giants 6, Diamondbacks 4

At Phoenix, Bengie Molina homered and drove in three runs and Brian Wilson struck out the side for his seventh straight save.

Molina hit a two-run homer in a four-run third inning as the Giants took a 5-1 lead against Doug Davis (3-7). Molina added an RBI single in the ninth.

Wilson earned his 16th save in 19 chances and locked up the victory for Barry Zito (3-6), who went five shaky innings.

Padres 3, Dodgers 1

At Los Angeles, Kevin Correia retired his final 15 batters during a sterling six-inning performance on three days' rest.

Correia (3-4) did not allow a baserunner after giving up a leadoff single in the second inning and allowed one run and four hits.

Heath Bell got three outs for his major league-leading 18th save.

Clayton Kershaw (3-5) went 2 2-3 innings, giving up three runs and five hits.

Astros 2, Cubs 1

At Houston, Geoff Blum singled in the winning run with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning.

The Cubs wasted a dominant start from Carlos Zambrano, who allowed a run and three hits through eight innings.

Blum lined a single up the middle after Angel Guzman (2-1) intentionally walked Lance Berkman to load the bases.

Chris Sampson (3-0) pitched two scoreless innings.

Pirates 3, Braves 2=

At Atlanta, Adam LaRoche drove in two runs and Jeff Karstens pitched well in his new role as a reliever.

Charlie Morton started for the Pirates but lasted only one inning before a tight left hamstring ended his night.

Karstens (3-4), who was bumped to the bullpen by Morton's promotion, gave up one run in 4 2-3 innings to snap Pittsburgh's three-game skid.

Matt Capps pitched the ninth for his 14th save.

Cardinals 13, Marlins 4

At Miami, Rick Ankiel finished a single shy of the cycle and Colby Rasmus also homered as St. Louis snapped a five-game skid.

Adam Wainwright (6-4) allowed four runs and four hits over seven innings.

Chris Volstad (4-6) allowed six runs and 10 hits over 5 2-3 innings in his third straight loss.

Rockies 4, Brewers 2

At Milwaukee, Troy Tulowitzki and Brad Hawpe homered and Jorge De La Rosa finally beat his old team as Colorado won its seventh straight.

Dave Bush (3-3) gave up a two-out solo homer in the fourth to Tulowitzki and three straight doubles in the fifth.

Huston Street struck out the side in the ninth for his 11th save in 12 chances.

De La Rosa (2-6) came into the game 0-2 with a 13.03 ERA in three appearances against Milwaukee, where he pitched for parts of three seasons beginning in 2004.

Reds 4, Nationals 2, 12 innings

At Washington, pinch-hitter Jonny Gomes hit a tiebreaking RBI double with two outs in the 12th for the Reds.

Nick Masset (4-0) pitched two innings for the win and David Weathers finished for his first save.

The Nationals scored both of their runs after a 2 hour, 10 minute rain delay in the bottom of the ninth.