Phillies 5, Mets 2
Ryan Howard snapped a tie with a two-run double in the eighth inning as the Philadelphia Phillies torched the New York Mets' bullpen for the second consecutive game with a 5-2 road triumph on Saturday.
After roughing up closer Francisco Rodriguez for three runs in the ninth in Friday's 6-4 win, the Phillies went to work 24 hours later after Mets starter Mike Pelfrey departed with two outs in the eighth.
Mike O'Connor (0-1) and Jason Isringhausen failed to record the final out of the frame while putting runners on the corners. Howard then deposited Tim Byrdak's offering into right field to plate Chase Utley and Placido Polanco.
Ben Francisco added an RBI double in the ninth as Philadelphia collected its seventh win in nine games.
The late offense made a winner out of Cole Hamels (7-2), who improved to just 3-9 in his career against the Mets – and 1-4 in Queens. The 2008 World Series MVP allowed two runs on seven hits while striking out a season-high 10 batters.
Jose Reyes recorded his fifth straight multi-hit game and scored twice on RBI singles by Justin Turner and Jason Bay. With the loss, New York has dropped six of seven since winning 10 of its previous 14.