Despite a good outing by Mike Pelfrey in which he pitched six innings and even had two hits and an RBI, the Mets could not score against the Phillies’ bullpen. That plus some defensive lapses resulted in a wasted opportunity to pull within one game.
The Mets got to Phillies starter Cole Hamels early, scoring all four of their runs in the third and fourth innings. David Wright kept up his blistering pace with two stolen bases and three hits, plus a possible game winner that was robbed by an amazing catch by Jayson Werth. Omir Santos also had three hits, while Luis Castillo and Carlos Beltran had two hits apiece. Alex Cora had two RBI.
A night after seven home runs were hit, the Mets couldn’t manage one, getting all of their runs on small ball. The Phillies, on the other hand, hit two more homers, both from Chase Utley. One was the game winner off of Bobby Parnell, who pitched in the 11th inning after Francisco Rodriguez pitched two scoreless. It was the first home run Parnell allowed this season.
Pelfrey left the game with the bases loaded in the seventh. He allowed four runs, only two earned. The other two came off of two misplayed balls by Beltran on a hard-hit ball near the centerfield wall and Wright, who couldn’t come up with a grounder.
The Mets had plenty of chances, but they were 6-for-19 with runners in scoring position and left 16 runners on base. Their inability to tack on runs after Hamels left the game was another factor in their losing this important game.
The Mets now have an uphill battle to win the series as Tim Redding will take the mound Thursday night against Jamie Moyer.
