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Mets, Phillies battle for first place in NL East

Aug 26, 2008 - 2:35 PM Ny Mets (73-59) at Philadelphia (72-59) 7:05 pm. EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Separated by just one-half game in the National League East, the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies resume their rivalry Tuesday in the opener of a brief two-game series.

The Phillies are coming off a four-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers that enabled them to close in on the Mets, who settled for a split of their four-game set against the Houston Astros.

Despite a somewhat disappointing series with Houston, New York heads to Philadelphia hot, having won 11 of its last 14 games.

Carlos Delgado hit a pair of three-run homers Monday as the Mets held on to first place with a 9-1 victory over the Astros.

Already without All-Star closer Billy Wagner (strained forearm), the Mets were forced to place righthander John Maine on the disabled list Monday with a bone spur in his pitching shoulder.

Mike Pelfrey, however, gave the Mets' beleaguered bullpen a day off with his second straight complete game, and now New York looks to continue its success this year against the Phillies behind Pedro Martinez (4-3, 4.97 ERA)

New York has won nine of 13 this season against Philadelphia, which also is hot, having won eight of its last 10. The Phillies are looking to regain sole possession of first place for the first time since August 12.

Brett Myers tossed seven solid innings and Jimmy Rollins, who has been booed frequently after calling the Phillies fans "front-runners", drove in two runs in a 5-0 win over the Dodgers on Monday.

The Phillies counter with ageless Jamie Moyer (11-7, 3.54), who is 1-1 with a 2.18 ERA over his last four starts. The 45-year-old lefthander allowed one run and two hits in seven innings against New York on July 24, but did not factor in a 3-1 loss.