Vicente Padilla pitched 6 2 /3 shutout innings in his best start since coming off the disabled list and led the Phillies over the Mets 4-2 yesterday to complete a three-game sweep.

Padilla (6-7) retired the first 11 batters, allowed just four hits, struck out five and walked one. He was sidelined for 2 1 /2 months because of tendinitis in his right elbow, and was activated August 9.

Hoping to climb back into postseason contention, Philadelphia won its sixth straight and ninth in 10 games. The Phillies started the day 4 1/2 games behind in the NL wild-card race, but with five teams in front of them.

It was the third straight loss and 19th in 21 games for the Mets, who also were swept in a three-game series at the Phillies last weekend. The Mets (61-81) ensured they will not have a winning season for the third straight year.

Tom Glavine (9-13) lost for the 10th time in 12 decisions, allowing four runs and seven hits in six innings. He left the game in the seventh after Placido Polanco’s shot bounced off his leg for a leadoff single.

Padilla did not allow a hit until Cliff Floyd singled with two outs in the fourth. Glavine grounded out in the fifth with two outs and runners on second and third. Philadelphia then doubled its lead in the sixth when Bell doubled for his third hit of the game and seventh in two days, Todd Pratt walked with two outs and Tomas Perez hit a two run double to the wall in left-center.

Mike Piazza and David Wright hit two-out RBI singles in the eighth off Todd Jones. Piazza had been 5-for-38 (.132) with one RBI since coming off the disabled list on August 31.