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Phils host Mets in opener of two-game series

Apr 16, 2007 - 1:45 PM NY Mets (7-4) at Philadelphia (3-8) 7:05 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Chase Utley and the Philadelphia Phillies finally responded with some clutch hits on Saturday. They hope Sunday's rainout will not impede what they hope is an offensive breakrough.

The Phillies host the New York Mets in the opener of a two-game series on Monday night.

Both teams had the finale of their weekend series' rained out. The way Utley and Philadelphia swung the bats against Houston on Saturday, the day off was not welcome.

Utley hit his second home run of the year and drove in the go-ahead run with a two-out double as the Phillies defeated the Astros, 8-5.

Philadelphia, which had stranded 49 runners in the five games leading up to Saturday, scored seven of its eight runs on two-out hits.

Freddy Garcia (NR) is scheduled to make his first start of the season for Philadelphia. Acquired from the Chicago White Sox in the offseason, Garcia spent the first two weeks on the disabled list with tightness in his biceps.

John Maine (1-0, 1.54 ERA) starts for the Mets. He is 3-0 with a 1.96 ERA against the Phillies in his career. But Maine was shaky against the Phillies in the Mets' home opener last Monday, walking six and allowing two runs in 4 2/3 innings.

The Mets won two of three games from the Phillies last week.