• Preview
• Recap
• Bleachers
• Game Tracker

Weary Mets, Phillies close out extended series

Jun 2, 2014 - 2:28 PM (SportsNetwork.com) - The New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies will try to avoid extra innings for a fourth straight game when the NL East clubs close out a long five-game series Monday at Citizens Bank Park.

The Mets and Phillies played back-to-back 14-inning games on Friday and Saturday, then put in 11 innings on Sunday, when the visitors posted a 4-3 win. Lucas Duda hit a tie-breaking two-run homer in the top of the 11th inning off Phillies reliever Phillippe Aumont for a 4-2 score.

Philadelphia got a run back on Marlon Byrd's solo homer in the bottom of the 11th with one out, but Carlos Ruiz fouled out and Ryan Howard grounded out to end the game. Josh Edgin pitched the 10th for the win and Jenrry Mejia worked around Byrd's home run in the 11th for his sixth save.

Mets starter Jon Niese delivered eight innings of two-run ball, struck out six and walked one in the no-decision.

Chris Young and Curtis Granderson had an RBI apiece for the Mets, who have won six of their last eight games and are in the midst of 11 straight games on the road. After this set with the Phillies, the Mets will visit the Chicago Cubs and San Francisco Giants.

"Hopefully we can get another one (Monday) and continue rolling," Duda said.

Bartolo Colon will start on the mound for the Mets Monday and he is 4-5 with a 4.73 earned run average this season. Colon has won back-to-back starts and is coming off a 5-0 win over Pittsburgh last Wednesday, when he scattered five hits across 7 1/3 shutout innings with nine K's and one walk.

The veteran right-hander has allowed two runs in his past two outings and has a 1-2 mark with a 4.65 ERA in five career starts against the Phillies.

Philadelphia will close out its 11-game homestand (4-6) Monday.

Phillies starting pitcher Cole Hamels had a strong outing go to waste, as he gave up only two runs -- one earned -- in seven innings for the no-decision. The left-hander struck out eight and walked four.

Aumont was dealt the loss for surrendering Duda's blast in the top of the 11th.

"If I pitch down, it's a different situation. But I left it up, (and Duda) hit it up," Aumont said. "Obviously, you know, I wanted to go out there and put up some zeros and let the guys hit. It's unfortunate, but it's just part of the game."

Ryan Howard hit a two-run homer and has gone deep four times in the last seven games with 14 RBI in that stretch. Jimmy Rollins had a hit and is 10 shy of passing Mike Schmidt (2,234) for the most in franchise lore.

The Phillies will visit Washington and Cincinnati next and hope Roberto Hernandez can pitch them past the Mets Monday night. Hernandez is 2-2 with a 3.76 earned run average in his first season with the Phils and 0-1 in his previous five trips to the mound.

Hernandez did not factor in the outcome of a 6-3 win over Colorado last Wednesday and gave up a pair of runs in 5 2/3 innings. He walked five batters and has issued 10 free passes in his past three appearances. The right-hander has no record and a 1.50 ERA in three career games (1 starts) against the Mets. He will face them for a fourth time this season.

Philadelphia is 1-8 in the past nine home games versus New York. The Phils last won a home series against the Mets from April 8-10, 2013 (2-1).