Flushing, NY – Jeremy Hefner contributed in every way he could to the Mets' 6-3 win over the Phillies on Tuesday, which evened up a three-game series.
Hefner (1-2) had a night of firsts. He picked up his first major league win with six strong innings in which he allowed three runs on six hits and struck out four. More surprisingly, Hefner collected his first major league hit -- a towering fly ball over the left field fence for a solo homer in the fourth.
Omar Quintanilla also provided an unexpected spark in the lineup. Quintanilla, who was called up earlier in the day, went 3-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored.
Joe Blanton (4-5) struggled for the third straight start for the Phillies, getting tagged for six runs in five-plus innings.
Scott Hairston delivered the big blow for the Mets. After the Phillies cut the Mets' lead to 4-3 in the sixth, Hairston hit a two-run homer to give New York some insurance.
The loss wrapped up a rough day for the Phillies, who placed starting pitcher Roy Halladay on the 15-day disabled list with a right latissimus dorsi strain. He is expected to miss 6-to-8 weeks.
The Phillies got on the board first after Jimmy Rollins started the game with a leadoff double, went to third on Juan Pierre's bunt and scored on a wild pitch.
The Mets quickly took the lead. Blanton hit Mike Baxter to start the bottom of the first, then gave up back-to-back singles to Kirk Nieuwenhuis and David Wright to tie the game. Three batters later, Ike Davis delivered a two-out single to give the Mets a 2-1 lead.
Brian Schneider tied the game for the Phillies in second with a long home run to right field.
The Mets quickly regained the lead, though. Quintanilla hit his first of two doubles to start off the second inning, then scored two batters later when Baxter hustled out an RBI double.
After Hefner's homer gave the Mets a 4-2 lead, the Phillies were able to put together a rally. Pierre led off the sixth with a single, then Hunter Pence hit a hard ground ball down the third-base line that Baxter could not corral along the left field fence. Because of the defensive struggles, Pierre scored and Pence advanced to third. However, the Phillies were unable to tie the game when Ty Wigginton grounded out to first, Shane Victorino struck out and Placido Polanco flew out to left.
Just as quickly as the Phillies seemed to be back in the game, Hairston came up with his crippling shot to take them out of it.
Bobby Parnell and Jon Rauch kept the Phillies bats quiet before Frank Francisco came in to pick up his 14th save of the season.
Game Notes
The Mets have won seven of their last 10 games...The Mets have won a major league-best 18 games against teams over .500...The Mets hit homers in six of their last seven games (10 total)...With two more two-out runs, the Mets remain tied for most two-out runs in the majors with 108...Wright snapped an 0-for-14 slump with a first-inning single...Francisco has saved his last six opportunities...Blanton has allowed 19 earned runs in his last three starts (13 2/3 innings), raising his earned run average from 2.96 to 5.05. He has allowed nine home runs in May (36 1/3 innings) after only allowing one in April (26 innings)...Blanton has allowed 11 earned runs in 12 1/3 innings in his two starts at Citi Field.
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