Anderson's Interference Sends Mets To Their Fourth Straight Loss

PHILADELPHIA — The Mets' Marlon Anderson was ruled out on a game-ending interference call at second base in the ninth inning, negating a possible tying run and giving the Philadelphia Phillies a 3–2 win over New York last night.

The Mets had runners on the corners with one out against closer Brett Myers when pinch-hitter Shawn Green hit a slow roller to shortstop Jimmy Rollins, who shoveled the ball to Tadahito Iguchi at second.

Anderson made a rough slide at Iguchi outside the line and knocked the second baseman down as he threw to first. It was ruled interference and a double play, ending the game and sending Anderson into a fit.

He ripped off his helmet and jumped up in protest, and manager Willie Randolph also rushed out to argue. But it didn't matter, and the Mets saw their grip on the NL East lead continue to loosen. Rollins and Pat Burrell homered for the Phillies, who won their third straight against New York and cut their deficit to three games in the division. Philadelphia goes for a series sweep today.

Unlike their late-inning comeback win a night earlier, the Phillies went ahead in the fifth and let the bullpen hold the lead after six solid innings from Jamie Moyer. The 44-year-old Moyer (12–10) rebounded nicely from two straight abysmal starts (16 runs in 8.2 innings) and gave up eight hits, two runs and stuck out four. Moyer is still the only Phillies starter not to miss a turn in the rotation this season.

J.C. Romero and Tom Gordon each worked a scoreless inning, and Myers got his 13th save.

David Wright homered for the Mets, who have lost six of eight. The Phillies seemed on the verge of falling out of the division chase after losing four straight on this 10-game homestand. But they won the finale against the Padres, have won the last three against the Mets and hope Kyle Lohse can complete the sweep and make this a September to remember.