Jamie Moyer pitched exceptional but Oliver Perez was better as the Mets won the series finale 3 to 1 and took over sole possession of first place in the National League Eastern Division.    Perez rang up 12 strikeouts in 7 and 2/3 innings before yielding to the bullpen.   Moyer went seven innings allowing only two hits while striking out six.

The Mets took an early lead in the game as David Wright singled to score Jose (Hot Dog) Reyes in the third inning.  That lead held till the Phillies at bat in the seventh frame when Jayson Werth blasted a center field home run off of Perez to tie the game.

The Phillies had the bases loaded with two outs in the top half of the eighth when Perez was lifted in favor of Aaron Heilmann.  Jayson Werth was the hitter, rather than use a left handed pinch hitter such as Gregg Dobbs, ( 19 pinch hits lead the majors), or Jimmy Rollins the skipper chose to let Werth hit. He promptly skied the first pitch to center field for the last out.  Critics would summize that Charlie blew the game by not making the textbook move especially in light that Heilmann is far less effective against left handers.   Perhaps indeed the pinch hitter should have been used but Manuel played a hunch that Werth would come thru.   It is amazing how Northeast corridor fans love to excentuate the negative, this is the same manager the team had when they were 10 games over .500!  Talk shows will buzz with how Charlie’s lack of a move blew the game but the fact of the matter is that a manager is only as good as his players, if Werth comes thru no one would comment.

J.C. Romero took over mound chores for the Phillies in the eighth and gave up two runs as Carlos Delgado doubled to score teammates David Wright and Robinson Cancel.  Billy Wagner pitched the ninth to earn his 26th save.

Chatter

Jimmy Rollins was benched as he arrived late for the game.  It marks the second time this year Rollins has been disciplined by Manager Charlie Manuel for breaking the two main team rules, always hustle and be on time.  Rollins disagreed with Manuel that he deserved the disciplinary action this time.  Eric Bruntlett replaced Rollins in the lineup and had three hits in the game.   The Phillies offense has been sporadic this season to say the least, they are amongst league leaders in home runs and runs scored but discounting isolated high run games, ( they scored 20 in one against St. Louis), they have lacked consistency.  When a pitcher only allows two hits thru seven innings you must find a way to win!

No time to panic though, the team must regroup and win upcoming series with Atlanta at home and Washington on the road.