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Eaton delivers Phillies a much-needed win over Mets

Apr 12, 2007 - 4:35 AM FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- While Adam Eaton was in control, the Philadelphia Phillies walked all over Oliver Perez.

Eaton pitched seven solid innings and the Phillies capitalized on seven walks by Perez to defeat the New York Mets, 5-2, in the middle game of a three-game set.

Aaron Rowand reached base four times and drove in a pair of runs with a bases-loaded walk and a double for the Phillies, who won for just the second time in eight games this season.

Eaton (1-1) was making his second start for the Phillies since leaving the Texas Rangers and signing as a free agent in the offseason. He was pounded for eight runs over 4 2/3 innings in his Phillies debut against Atlanta, but settled down in this one, allowing two runs and four hits. He walked three and struck out five.

"I was just trying to get it deep in the game. I have every confidence in the bullpen," said Eaton, who improved to 4-0 lifetime against the Mets. "For whatever reason, I've pitched well here. New York is the biggest stage. Pitching well here is a nice feeling to have."

Antonio Alfonseca retired the side in order in the eighth and Tom Gordon allowed a hit and struck out two in the ninth for his first save of the season.

Perez (1-1) endeared himself to Mets fans with an outstanding performance in Game Seven of the 2006 National League Championship Series against St. Louis, but his control problems resurfaced on Wednesday.

"It's obviously a mechanical thing," said Mets manager Willie Randolph, who refused to use the 44-degree game time temperature as an excuse. "Everyone is in the same boat. We've been in the cold all year."

The lefthander tied a career high with his seven walks in 2 2/3 innings, throwing just 32 of 73 pitches for strikes.

"All of a sudden, I couldn't make a pitch," Perez said. "I just have come back tomorrow and keep working."

Mets pitchers issued 11 walks in all, their most since allowing a club-record 12 against the Chicago Cubs on March 31, 2003.

Perez walked three in the second before working out of a jam, but had no such luck in the third. Chase Utley singled with two outs before Ryan Howard, Pat Burrell, Wes Helms and Rowand were walked in succession.

"We'll take them any way we can get them," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "A run is a run."

The lefthander's night ended when he hit Rod Barajas with a 2-2 pitch, forcing in the third Philadelphia run of the frame. Perez, who allowed just one hit, walked seven batters for the sixth time in his career.

The Mets loaded the bases with no outs in the fourth, but settled for one run when Moises Alou grounded into a double play.

"He didn't try to get out of that inning without giving up a run," said second baseman Chase Utley, who caught the hard grounder by Alou. "He got the ground ball."

New York cut the lead to 3-2 on an RBI single by Jose Reyes in the fifth.

The Phillies scored single runs in the sixth and seventh off Aaron Sele to increase their lead to 5-2.

Jimmy Rollins tripled in the sixth and scored on a sacrifice fly by Shane Victorino. Howard walked in the seventh and scored on a two-out double by Rowand.

New York third baseman David Wright singled in the ninth to extend his hitting streak to 20 games dating to last season.