PostGame: Mets vs. Phillies ~ 05/26

The New York Mets (24-23) defeated the Philadelphia Phillies (26-19) by the final score of 5-0, shutting them out in back-to-back games. They've won the series against the Phillies and will go for the sweep tomorrow. Hisanori Takahashi continued the streak of outstanding starting pitching for Mets starters, going six scoreless inning, matching what R.A. Dickey did last night. Takahashi has thrown 12 scoreless innings since taking over for Oliver Perez.

In the bottom of the second inning, Ike Davis led off with a double. Angel Pagan then singled, moving Davis to third. With Rod Barajas up, Pagan stole second. Barajas then hit a sac fly to left field to score Davis from third.

The Mets would add another run in the third inning when Jose Reyes led off the inning with a home run to make it a 2-0 game.

Neither team would put a run up until the bottom of the sixth inning, when the Mets came to bat. David Wright led off the inning with a double past the diving Shane Victorino. Angel Pagan the had a bunt single up the third base line to put runners on first and third. With Barajas up, Pagan stole second base again. This time Barajas drove both runners in from third and second with a double down the left field line to make it a 4-0 game. Alex Cora then pinch hit for Takahashi with one out, and hit a ball up the middle that hit off the mound. Chase Utley fielded it and threw to first but Ryan Howard couldn't pick it out of the dirt. It went down as an error for Utley, but it was a ball that Howard most certainly should have made. Reyes then singled to right field, scoring Barajas from third, making it a 5-0.

Fernando Nieve came in to pitch the ninth inning and set the Phillies down one-two-three, with Reyes making a nice jumping catch to end the game, and gave the Mets a 5-0 victory.

The Mets are now back above .500 and are only three games behind the first place Phillies.

The last time the Mets had back-to-back shut outs of the Phillies was July 17 and 18, 1998. Pitching for the Mets was Hideo Nomo and Al Leiter.

To view the full box score, click here. To discuss the game in our forum, click here.

W: Takahashi (4-1)   L: Blanton (1-3)

Hitting:

• The Mets went 4-13 with RISP and left seven men on base.
• Jose Reyes stayed hot, going 2-4 with his first home run of the year and two RBI. He is now hitting .238. Rod Barajas went 1-3 driving in three RBI with a double and a sac fly.
• Angel Pagan went 2-4 with two singles and two stolen bases. Luis Castillo didn't get a hit, but drew two walks and stole two bases as well.
• Jeff Francoeur went 0-3, but had some nice at-bats and hit the ball hard, but had nothing to show for it.

Pitching:

• The Mets starting pitchers are starting to spoil us. Hisanori Takahashi went six innings, giving up no runs, on five hits, no walks and six strike outs. Takahashi earns his fourth win of the year and lowers his ERA to 2.13.
• Jenrry Mejia and Ryota Igarashi both threw a scoreless inning of work, giving up one hit.
• Fernando Nieve threw a one-two-three inning in the ninth to nail down the game for the Mets.
• The Mets didn't allow a walk tonight to the Phillies.

MVP:

• Hisanori Takahashi gets the honor for tonight's game, keeping the Phillies off balance and off the board the whole game. In the post game, Jerry Manuel said that Takahashi's command is up there with the best pitchers in the league. Manuel added that the tryout for Takahashi is over, and he is in the rotation for good now.

Next Game:

• The Mets will go for the sweep of the first place Phillies tomorrow night, with Mike Pelfrey taking on Cole Hamels. Game time is set for 7:10 P.M. and will be aired on SNY.

Pervious Mets Records on 05/26:

• 2009: 25-20
• 2008: 23-26
• 2007: 31-17
• 2006: 28-19