PHILADELPHIA – Raul Ibanez sparked a five-run third inning with a three-run homer, and the Philadelphia Phillies pounded out a dozen hits to support Roy Halladay in a 6-5 victory over the New York Mets on Sunday.
The hot-hitting Ibanez clubbed a hanging knuckleball from Mets starter R.A. Dickey off the batter's eye, putting the Phillies in control and the ball in the hands of their ace. Ibanez is batting .407 during a 16-game hitting streak.
Halladay (14-8) struggled on an 88-degree afternoon — at least by his standards — allowing five runs on nine hits in seven innings. Phillies closer Brad Lidge worked around a leadoff single by Josh Thole for his 14th save in 18 opportunities.
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