Phillies Avoid Big Sweep, Hand Pelfrey Another Loss

PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies avoided a lost weekend against the Mets yesterday — not to mention falling even further behind in the NL East.

Jimmy Rollins hit a two-run homer, Kyle Kendrick pitched effectively into the seventh inning, and Philadelphia salvaged the finale of a four-game series with a 5–3 victory over New York.

Shane Victorino had three hits, including a home run, and two stolen bases to help the Phillies move within five games of the divisionleading Mets.

"We needed to win, everyone knew that," the Phillies' manager, Charlie Manuel, said. "The series had been tough on us, but we got a win. Now, it's time to move on to the next series and try to carry the momentum."

Carlos Delgado homered for New York, which had its four-game winning streak snapped. The Mets are 8–2 in their last 10 games.

Because of injuries to starters Freddy Garcia and Jon Lieber, and a doubleheader on Friday, the Phillies' weekend rotation against the Mets included three pitchers who had been in the minors three weeks ago.

Unlike J.R. Durbin and J.A. Happ, Kendrick (3–0) managed to shut down a potent Mets lineup. He gave up two runs and six hits in a career-high 6 2-3 innings. Kendrick walked three and didn't strike out a batter.

He was aware of the dire need for a victory, but kept his composure.

Rollins provided the big hit off starter Mike Pelfrey (0–6) in the third inning. The shortstop was 1–for–14 in the series before his 14th homer gave the Phillies a 3–1 lead.

Philadelphia added two insurance runs off Aaron Heilman in the seventh. Victorino's ninth homer plunked high off the rightfield foul pole. Aaron Rowand delivered an RBI single.

Kendrick got plenty of support from his defense. The Phillies turned three double plays, including one on speedy Jose Reyes in the fifth.

"The double plays killed us," the Mets' manager, Willie Randolph, said. "We could have put a lot more pressure on (Kendrick). I don't know the kid, but give him credit, he got through the jams he was in."

New York took a 1–0 lead in the first when Reyes singled, stole second, and scored on Paul Lo Duca's single.

Philadelphia answered in the second when Pat Burrell, who began the day batting .203, drew a four-pitch walk with two outs. Greg Dobbs hit an RBI double to score Burrell.

New York pulled to 3–2 in the fourth on Delgado's 13th homer. Pelfrey was recalled from Triple-A New Orleans for yesterday's start when Oliver Perez was scratched because of a stiff back. To make room for Pelfrey, the Mets placed starter Jorge Sosa on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left hamstring.

Pelfrey yielded three runs — two earned — and four hits over five innings. As was the problem in his first stint with the Mets this season, Pelfrey struggled with his control. He walked three, including Burrell twice.

"The first time up I was too much of a finesse pitcher," Pelfrey said. "I'm supposed to be a power pitcher. So I just let everything go. I got back to throwing hard.

Randolph was impressed with the new Pelfrey.

"His pitch count (103) was high, but I thought he did a pretty good job," Randolph said.

Notes:@ Philadelphia 76ers first-round draft pick Thaddeus Young threw out the ceremonial first pitch. Young, out of Georgia Tech, was the 12th player selected in Thursday's NBA draft. ... Pelfrey got his first major league hit with a single in the fifth inning. ... Delgado's 420th homer tied him for 39th on the career list.