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Phillies visit Mets in key NL East showdown

Jul 22, 2008 - 10:08 AM Philadelphia (53-46) at NY Mets (53-46) 7:10 p.m. EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Mets used their last series with the Philadelphia Phillies to ignite a long winning streak. They hope their next series with Philadelphia will be as successful.

The Mets host the Phillies on Tuesday with the teams tied for first place in the National League East.

New York has won seven out of its 10 meetings with Philadelphia. The Mets took three out of four from the Phillies less than three weeks ago, which started their 10-game winning streak that helped move New York into first place.

Johan Santana (8-7, 3.10 ERA) will take the mound for the Mets, who are coming off a four-game split with the Cincinnati Reds.

The lefthander is coming off his NL worst start , allowing five runs in four innings against the Reds on Thursday. Santana has fared well against Philadelphia, going 1-0 with a 2.75 ERA in three starts.

The Phillies will counter with new acquisition Joe Blanton. The righthander was picked up from the Oakland Athletics for three minor leaguers on Thursday.

Blanton was 5-12 with a 4.96 ERA with Oakland, but has thrown 15 scoreless innings over two career starts against the Mets in his career. He gave up six runs in six innings, taking the loss against Seattle on July 9.