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Phillies hope to fix bullpen woes in series finale

Jul 7, 2008 - 1:21 PM NY Mets (44-44) at Philadelphia (48-41), 7:05 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- The Philadelphia Phillies hope to fix their bullpen's recent woes in the series finale against the division-rival New York Mets on Monday.

After winning the first game of the four-game series on Friday, Philadelphia relievers have blown two games in a row, while posting a putrid 9.72 ERA in 8 1/3 innings.

On Saturday, the Mets scored six runs and collected seven hits in 2 1/3 innings against five Phillies relievers, earning a 9-4 victory after Jamie Moyer tossed 6 2/3 solid frames.

Then, on Sunday, reliever Chad Durbin surrendered a game-winning, two-run homer to Fernando Tatis in the 12th inning, allowing the Mets to claim a 4-2 victory.

Adam Eaton (3-6, 4.79 ERA) will take the mound for Philadelphia, which has seen its grip of first place in the National League East Division slip to 2.5 games over the Florida Marlins (45-43).

Eaton is coming off a win against the Atlanta Braves in which he allowed two runs and five hits in five innings.

New York will counter with Pedro Martinez (2-2, 7.39), who has given up 17 earned runs in 15 innings over the past three starts.

Ryan Howard is 4-for-13 with seven strikeouts in the series and is hitting just .224 this season.