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Mets, Phillies square off in crucial series

Sep 5, 2008 - 10:22 AM Philadelphia (76-64) at NY Mets (79-61) 7:10 p.m. EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- The New York Mets enter the regular season's final month in a familiar position - being chased by the Philadelphia Phillies. However, New York is determined to avenge last season's collapse.

The Mets will look to extend their three-game lead in the National League East in Friday's opener of the final series between the rivals.

The Mets, who relinquished a seven-game lead to Philadelphia with 17 to play last September, have won four straight and 17 of 22. Ryan Church hit a first-inning grand slam and Oliver Perez tossed 5 2/3 solid innings as New York rolled to a 9-2 victory over Milwaukee on Wednesday.

Things are going so well, even the much-maligned bullpen is delivering. Mets relievers have tossed 15 2/3 scoreless innings.

"We're playing so well now, we feel we can do anything," said Church, who made two trips to the disabled list after suffering from post-concussion syndrome earlier in the season. "We're pretty much clicking in everything now that the bullpen is throwing well."

To say that Mike Pelfrey (13-8, 3.66 ERA) is throwing well would be an understatement. The 24-year-old righthander is 3-0 with a 1.71 ERA and two complete games over his last four starts. Pelfrey is 1-0 with a 5.40 ERA in two starts vs. the Phillies this season.

He will try and help the Mets to their 11th win in 16 meetings with Philadelphia. Meanwhile, the Phillies lost two of three to last-place Washington this week.

"If we keep falling back, we're going to get in trouble," Phillies manager Charlie Manuel said. "We still have a good chance. Friday is the most important game. We have 22 games left and three games to make up. It's still there for us, but it's getting harder."

Philadelphia hands the ball to its hottest starter, Brett Myers (8-10, 4.40 ERA). Myers has won three straight starts, and is 5-1 with a 1.42 ERA in his last seven outings.