Phils Score 6 in the 8th, Win 5th in a Row
Down 2-1 in the 8th, the Phils score 6 runs, send 11 batters to the plate, and go on to beat the Mets 7-5 to win their 5th in a row, and 12th in a row at home. Francisco, Ruiz, Sweeney, and Rollins all with rbi singles in the 8th. Starter Joe Blanton allowed 2 runs on 7 hits, thru 7 innings. Brad Lidge the 1 out save.
Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Mike Sweeney's run-scoring single capped a six-run eighth inning rally and Philadelphia survived a New York comeback attempt in the ninth inning to hang on for a 7-5 win to begin a three-game series.
Sweeney, in his first start since joining the Phillies, triggered the decisive rally with a base hit and Placido Polanco chipped in with a hit and two runs batted in as Philadelphia earned its' 12th straight win at home.
Chad Durbin (3-1) worked a scoreless top half of the eighth to grab the win after Joe Blanton had given up two runs on seven hits while striking out four and not walking a batter over seven frames for the Phils, who won their fifth straight overall. Brad Lidge was called on to get the final out and he did to earn his 13th save of the season.
Bobby Parnell (0-1) was tagged with the loss after giving up four runs on four hits without retiring a batter for the Mets, who have lost two in a row and four out of five.
New York starter Jon Niese yielded a lone run on four hits and five walks while fanning seven over seven frames and turned the game over to Parnell, who could not protect a 2-1 lead.
Sweeney delivered a single to right field and advanced to third on a Jayson Werth base hit to center. Ben Francisco then dumped a single into center to plate Sweeney with the tying run. Carlos Ruiz, who hit the game-winning home run on Thursday, then smacked a single back through the middle to chase home Werth with the go-ahead run and Parnell from the contest.
Pedro Feliciano took over and allowed a bunt base hit to Wilson Valdez that loaded the bases with nobody out. Pinch-hitter Ross Gload drew a walk to force in Francisco to pad the lead to 4-2. Jimmy Rollins followed with a run-scoring single to left to make it a 5-2 game and Polanco's sacrifice fly off Manny Acosta extended the lead to four. Sweeney then singled to left to plate Gload to finish off the uprising.
Ike Davis singled with one out and a Jeff Francoeur infield hit with two outs in the ninth knocked Danys Baez out of the game and brought on J.C. Romero, who served up a pinch-hit, three-run homer to Mike Hessman that trimmed the lead to two.
Lidge was then summoned from the bullpen and struck out Jesus Feliciano to end the game.
The Phillies struck in their half of the first when Raul Ibanez looped a one- out single, moved to second base on a passed ball and scored on a double down the left-field line by Polanco.
The Mets tied the game in the third when Francoeur singled, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and groundout and scored on a Jose Reyes single.
New York strung together three straight singles in the fourth to take a 2-1 lead after Josh Thole's hit plated David Wright.
Game Notes
Prior to the game, Darren Daulton was inducted into the Phillies' Wall of Fame, the 32nd player to receive that honor...He was a three-time National League All-Star who spent 14 seasons with Phils from 1983, 1985-97...Daulton is fourth in franchise history with 965 games caught...The Phillies 12-game home win streak matches the White Sox, who did it between July 5-30, for the longest in the big leagues this season...Ibanez extended his hitting streak to 14 games...Polanco has hit safely in 25 of his last 28 games...Wright's single in the fourth ended an 0-for-16 drought...Davis has hit safely in 11 out of 13...New York is 5-14 in the first game of a road series and have dropped nine of their last 10 series starters away from home...The Mets have dropped 18 of their last 24 on the road...The teams played before the 92nd straight sellout crowd at Citizens Bank Park.
