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Mets hope history will not repeat itself

Sep 6, 2008 - 10:21 AM Philadelphia (77-64) at NY Mets (79-62) 3:55 p.m. EDT

FLUSHING, New York (Ticker) -- As Yogi Berra once said, 'It's like deja vu all over again' for the New York Mets.

On Saturday, the Mets hopes to rebound from a tough loss and maintain their slim lead over the Philadelphia Phillies, who have plans on another September rally.

New York became the first team in history to blow a seven-game lead with 17 to play last season, as the Phillies stormed back to win their first National League East tile since 1993. The Mets saw their lead sliced to two games on Friday, as Brett Myers tossed eight solid innings and Greg Dobbs hit a two-run homer in a 3-0 victory.

Despite the similarities to last season, New York insists it will not allow history to repeat itself.

"This year, the team's more resilient," All-Star third baseman David Wright said. "We find a way after a tough loss to bounce back the next day instead of letting it drag on for a few days. And that seems like what good teams can do - turn that page very quickly."

Wright has a point, too. The Mets blew a seven-run lead in a 8-7, 13-inning loss to Philadelphia on August 26, but responded by winning six of their next seven. New York manager Jerry Manuel joked afterwards about their propensity to respond well to tough losses.

"A loss is a loss," Manuel said just after the game. "We'll take it as a devastating loss so we can move on tomorrow and win."

New York hopes Pedro Martinez can help it turn the page and win for the 18th time in 23 games. Martinez (5-3, 5.07 ERA) allowed two runs and seven hits in six innings of a 6-2 victory over Florida on Sunday. The 36-year-old righthander is 2-0 with a 3.77 ERA in his last five starts.

Philadelphia counters with 45-year-old Jamie Moyer (12-7, 3.80). Moyer is 5-1 with a 3.29 ERA in his last 11 starts.