Phillies 8, Mets 4
WP – Cole Hamels (8-1, 2.43)
LP – Jon Niese (3-3, 4.55)
NEW YORK — If Billy Beane was the general manager of the Phillies he would have been proud of Ty Wigginton’s game.
Wigginton was on base five times, driving in three runs on an RBI double and single in the 3rd and 7th inning, the latter proving to be the game-winner in the Phillies 8-4 win over the Mets.
Wigginton then hit a three-run homer in the 9th inning for insurance, capping off a 3-for-3 day with six RBIs while falling a triple short of the cycle..
That 7th inning run proved to be important as twice starting pitcher Cole Hamels coughed up a lead to the Mets. Holding a 2-0 lead in the 5th inning, Hamels served up an 0-1 change-up to Vinny Rottino that he put over the leftfield wall for a two-run homer to tie the game.
John Mayberry followed up with a two-run homer to give the Phillies back the lead, 4-2. But Hamels blew the lead again, giving up a two-run homer to Scott Hairston that tied the game 4-4.
Wigginton’s single in the 7th then provided the Phillies with the 5-4 lead.
The Mets knocked on the door for a third time in the 8th inning but this time Hamels didn’t let them in.
Andres Torres led off the inning with a pinch-hit double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kirk Nieuwenhuis. But Hamels got Daniel Murphy to ground out to second and David Wright to ground out to third to end the Mets last scoring threat.
What was amazing about the Phillies offense today was their ability to get on base via the free pass. Jon Niese couldn’t find the plate the hitters took advantage of that by getting on base and making the left-hander pitch on a scorching hot day in Queens.
Niese’s day wound up ending after five innings, and 115 pitches. Niese gave up four runs on two hits and five walks in his short outing.
2B: Wigginton (4). HR: Mayberry (2), Wigginton (4).
TTB 