Phillies Vs. Mets: Philadelphia Wins, 8-2, Avoids Series Sweep

The Philadelphia Phillies defeated the New York Mets, 8-2, in the final game of their series at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Sunday. Despite the win, the Phillies dropped the series, 2-1.

Philadelphia entered the game trying to avoid being swept in the three-game series by the Mets. New York scored five runs in each of the first two wins. Their offense didn't come through when it counted on Sunday while the Phillies' bats caught fire.

Both of the Mets' runs came in the first inning on an Ike Davis homer. The Phillies got one run back in the bottom of the inning when Jimmy Rollins singled and drove in Juan Pierre. The Phillies wouldn't take the lead until they got two more runs across in the 7th inning on a Ty Wigginton sacrifice fly and a Laynce Nix double. Philadelphia broke the game open in the 8th with five runs. Overall, Philadelphia scored 8 runs on 14 hits while scattering the Mets other seven hits after the Davis home run. Juan Pierre went 3-4 at the plate. Jimmy Rollins and Hunter Pence each went 2-4 and scored two runs. Wigginton only had one hit but provided a game-high 4 RBI.

Cole Hamels picked up the victory for the Phillies. Hamels allowed two runs on six hits over seven innings. Hamels walked only one batter while striking out 10. Mike Pelfrey got the start for the Mets and only allowed one run despite giving up eight hits and two walks. Only four of the Philadelphia runs were earned. However, the Mets only had one error. Jonathan Papelbon came in for the Phillies in the 9th to close out the game. He struck out two batters and allowed two hits and a walk in a scoreless ninth. Ramon Martinez was charged with a blown save and the loss for the Mets. Martinez gave up two runs in the seventh inning.

For more on the Phillies, head to The Good Phight, for more on the Mets, head to Amazin Avenue, and for more updates throughout the series, follow SB Nation Philly's StoryStream.

Phillies Vs Mets Sunday Starting Lineup 4/15/2012

The official Twitter of the Philadelphia Phillies has released the lineup for Sunday's series finale against the New York Mets.

LF Juan Pierre

CF Shane Victorino

SS Jimmy Rollins

RF Hunter Pence

3B Ty Wiggington

1B Laynce Nix

C Carlos Ruiz

2B Pete Orr

P Cole Hamels

Charlie Manuel is trying everything he can to get the Phils offense rolling. At 3-5, the Phillies have scored only 20 runs this season – the second lowest total in the National League, behind the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Nix replaces replaces John Mayberry at first base. Mayberry is batting .222 on the season and has yet to record a home run, stolen base or run scored. He has one RBI.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 PM EST.

For more on the Phillies, head to The Good Phight, for more on the Mets, head to Amazin Avenue, and for more updates throughout the series, follow SB Nation Philly's StoryStream.

Phillies Vs. Mets: Mets Shut Out Phils, 5-0

The New York Mets took their second consecutive game from the Phillies on Saturday and will look to finish the sweep on Sunday, at Citizens Bank Ballpark. The struggling Philly offense failed to score a run against Jonathon Niese and company.

Shane Victorino, Placido Polonco, Jimmy Rollins, Ty Wiggington and Freddy Gavlis each pitched in a hit for the Phils. Wigginton also drew the Phillies only walk. Hunter Pence had the toughest day, going 0-4 with two strikeouts.

Vance Worley had a rough outing. He gave up eight hits, four earned runs – including two bombs – and issued four walks.

The loss drops the Phillies to 3-5 on the season – tied with the Marlins for last place in the NL East.

For more on the Phillies, head to The Good Phight, for more on the Mets, head to Amazin Avenue, and for more updates throughout the series, follow SB Nation Philly's StoryStream.

Phillies Vs Mets Saturday Starting Lineup 4/14/2012

Charlie Manuel seems to be settling on a lineup, at least against lefties that is. Today’s lineup against lefty Jon Neise is almost exactly the one he used against Mark Buehrle earlier this week.

Carlos Ruiz will get the day off, as he often does for a day game following a night game. This will also be the second time this season that Brian Schneider has caught Vance Worley.

1. Shane Victorino, CF
2. Placido Polanco, 3B
3. Jimmy Rollins, SS
4. Hunter Pence, RF
5. John Mayberry, LF
6. Ty Wigginton, 1B
7. Freddy Galvis, 2B
8. Brian Schneider, C
9. Vance Worley, P

Manuel said that the lineup is still a work in progress.

"I’m trying to feel everything out and get to the point where our best lineup is," Manuel said. "But you can play in our lineup. Hey, if you’re hot, you can play. The guy who moves the baseball earns the right to play."

The one surprise for the Mets will be the return of David Wright, who is in today’s lineup despite reports that he was headed to the DL with a broken pinkie. He had missed three straight games.

First pitch is at 4:05pm.

Phillies Vs. Mets Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers

The Philadelphia Phillies look to rebound from a series-opening loss to the New York Mets when their three-game set continues on Saturday afternoon. (Game Time: 4:05 p.m, TV Schedule: CSN-Philly)

Vance Worley will start for Philadelphia against Jon Niese.

Philadelphia lost 5-2 to the Mets on Friday as they struggled to drive in runs against knuckeballer R.A. Dickey. Dickey pitched eight innings and allowed just one run, striking out seven batters. Cliff Lee settled down for Philadelphia and allowed just two baserunners after the first inning, but surrendered three runs in the first frame.

For more on the Phillies, head to The Good Phight, for more on the Mets, head to Amazin Avenue, and for more updates throughout the series, follow SB Nation Philly's StoryStream.

Phillies Vs. Mets: Philly Loses Game 1 Of Series, 5-2

The Philadelphia Phillies lost the fist game of their three-game series at home against the New York Mets on Friday night by a score of 5-2. This is the second consecutive series at home in which the Phillies have lost the first game, the last was to the Miami Marlins. Cliff Lee started for the Phillies, going seven innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits including two home runs and striking out seven. He recorded the loss, his first of the season. The winning pitcher was the Mets' R.A. Dickey, who also went seven innings, allowing nine hits and one earned run.

The Mets took an early 3-0 lead in the top of the first when Daniel Murphy doubled to right, scoring Ruben Tejada, and then Jason Bay hit a home run over the right center wall, knocking in Tejada. In the bottom of the third,Philly's Freddy Galvis homered to bring the score to 3-1. Then in the top of the fifth, the Mets extended their lead to 4-1 when Scott Hairston hit a home run over the left field wall and in the top of the ninth, Lucas Duda hit a sacrifice fly that scored Justin Turner to make the score 5-1. The Phillies got the last run of the night in the bottom of the ninth when Carlos Ruiz scored thanks to a fielding error by Mets second baseman Daniel Murphy, but it wasn't enough.

The Phillies will look to do what they did against the Marlins, which is to win both games two and three, but they'll have to look much better on Saturday and Sunday to pull that off. Game two of the series starts at 4:05 p.m. (ET) on Saturday afternoon.

For more on the Phillies, head to The Good Phight, for more on the Mets, head to Amazin Avenue, and for more updates throughout the series, follow SB Nation Philly's StoryStream.

Phillies Reportedly Signing Infielder Mike Fontentot To Minor League Contract

The Philadelphia Phillies appeared to be the winner in veteran infielder Mike Fontenot's deliberations. Fontenot was trying to decide between offers from Philadelphia and the Atlanta Braves.

Fontenot has reportedly chosen the Phillies and will sign a minor league contract with the club (via Jim Bowden's Twitter). Philadelphia has a great need of a veteran infielder due to injuries. With Chase Utley out, the Phillies have been starting rookie Freddy Galvis at second base.

Fontenot was released by the Giants in late March. Last season for San Francisco, Fontenot hit .227 with 4 home runs and 21 RBI in 220 at-bats. His career average is a bit higher at .263 than what he showed in 85 games in 2011. While Fontenot has played second base, shortstop and third base, he has spent the majority of his career at second. His fielding percentage is also best at second base.

For more on the Phillies, be sure to check out The Good Phight and SB Nation Philly for all your news and updates.

Phillies Vs. Mets: Cliff Lee Faces RA Dickey

Cliff Lee looks to get his first win of the season for the Phillies.