Phillies 3, Mets 2
Ryan Howard blasted a two-run homer with two outs in the ninth inning to spoil a dominating effort by New York rookie Matt Harvey and keep visiting Philadelphia’s playoff hopes alive.
The Phillies were down to their final strike before Chase Utley fought back to work a walk against New York rookie left-hander Josh Edgin (1-2). Howard followed and turned on an 0-1 fastball, sending a towering blast into the second deck for his 11th homer and a 3-2 lead.
Jeremy Horst (2-0), who worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the eighth inning, picked up the win and Jonathan Papelbon secured his 36th save for Philadelphia (75-74), which moved back above .500 and remained four games behind St. Louis in the race for the second NL wild-card spot. The Cardinals blanked the Houston Astros 5-0.
Harvey allowed only one hit in seven innings - a leadoff home run to Jimmy Rollins - and walked three while striking out seven. The Mets had previously announced that this would be the final start for the rookie right-hander, who finishes 3-5 with a 2.73 ERA in 10 major-league starts.
New York tied it up at 1-1 with a two-out rally in the fourth and took the lead when David Wright led off the sixth with his first home run since Aug. 24. The All-Star waited on a changeup from Cole Hamels and knocked it the opposite way into the visiting bullpen in right-center field for his 18th blast.
GAME NOTEBOOK: New York is 4-24 in its last 28 home games and has not scored more than three in a franchise-record 15 straight at Citi Field. … Hamels remained 5-10 in his career against the Mets, his worst mark against any NL opponent. … New York closer Frank Francisco was diagnosed with right elbow tendinitis. He has not pitched since Sunday.