Yesterday, the Phillies took the win over the DBacks leading to the series win. Today, the Phillies traveled up the turnpike to New York to face the Mets. The Phillies sent A.J. Burnett to the hill in what could be his last start as a Phillie with the trade deadline on Thursday. Burnett in his last start went eight scoreless innings with a hour rain delay in the middle. Opposing Burnett was veteran right-hander Bartolo Colon. Colon won his last start over the Mariners going 7.1 innings giving up two runs. Colon’s name has also come up in recent talks around the deadline.
The Game: The Mets got on the board early with four runs in the first. Curtis Granderson led off with a walk, and Daniel Murphy doubled to plate the Mets first run. After David Wright grounded out moving Murphy to third, Lucas Duda singled him in. Then with one out, Travis d’Arnaud doubled to left to bring up Juan Lagares. Lagares took advantage of runners on second and third with a two run double. 4-0 Mets
The Mets added on to their lead in the fifth. With two outs, Lucas Duda worked a walk. Chris Young followed with a single to runners on first and second. Again Travis d’Arnaud came up big with a homer to left. 7-0 Mets
The Phillies got one back in the eighth with back to back doubles by Domonic Brown and Carlos Ruiz but it was too late for the Phillies. 7-1 Mets
The Phillies tried to stage a late come back in the ninth inning loading the bases, but were ultimately unsuccessful. 7-1 Mets FINAL
Significant Offensive Stats:
Ben Revere: 2-5
Marlon Byrd: 4-5
Carlos Ruiz: 4-4 2B RBI
Impact: Ryan Howard continues to be a huge hole the Phillies lineup. Every time it looked the Phillies were getting something going Howard came up and the rally stalled. On a bright note, Marlon Byrd continued to raise his trade stock with four hits tonight. Also, since Ruiz has returned to the lineup has become one of the hottest hitter on the team.
Up Next: Tomorrow, the Phillies will send ace Cole Hamels to the hill looking to force a rubber match. Hamels name has also come up in trade rumors and will be a name to watch as the trade deadline fast approaches. Hamels will be opposed by Mets’ right-hander Dillon Gee. Gee took the loss his last two starts only going five innings in both starts. The Phillies will look to take advantage of that and force the rubber match.
