Phillies 4, Mets 3
PHILADELPHIA -- For just the third time this season, the Philadelphia Phillies got the better of the New York Mets thanks to a 4-3 win on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park.
The last-place Phillies (60-97) improved to just 3-14 against the 2015 National League East champion Mets (89-68), while snapping New York’s franchise-record road-winning streak at 11.
First baseman Darin Ruf connected on a three-run home run in the first inning and the bullpen worked 4 1/3 effective innings to lead Philadelphia, which is looking to avoid its first 100-loss season since 1961 (47-107). Also, center fielder Odubel Herrera went 4-for-4 and left fielder Aaron Altherr drove in a run.
The Mets have now scored three or more runs in each of their last 32 road games, the longest streak in the National League since 1900, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. However, on Tuesday night, New York left 12 men on base and went 1-for-10 with runners in scoring position.
Left-handed reliever Adam Loewen (1-0) picked up his first major league win since 2007 by throwing one-third of an inning in the fifth. Closer Ken Giles nailed down the win for his 14th save despite allowing a two-run homer to Mets first baseman Lucas Duda in the ninth.
Duda now has five home runs in his last three games.
New York right-hander Bartolo Colon (14-13) took the loss, allowing three runs over five innings for his shortest start since Aug. 21, when he lasted 3 2/3 against the Rockies.
Mets left-hander Jon Niese, who was moved to the bullpen prior to the game as New York prepares its postseason roster, threw 1 2/3 innings in relief and allowed a run on three hits.
The Mets, who will play the winner of the National League West in the NL Division Series starting Oct. 9, are looking to secure home-field advantage in the series. Entering Tuesday, they were two games ahead of the NL West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Phillies jumped on Colon early, scoring three runs in the first inning on Ruf's three-run home run to center field.
Herrera and Altherr hit back-to-back singles before Ruf connected on his 11th home run of the season.
Prior to the three-run first, Colon had thrown 16 consecutive scoreless innings against Philadelphia dating back to May 25. He entered the game 4-0 with a 2.33 ERA in four starts against the Phillies this season.
The Mets got one run back in the top of the fourth inning when Duda hit a towering solo home run to center field, his 26th of the season and fourth in the last three games.
New York had plenty of opportunities against Philadelphia right-hander David Buchanan, but failed to capitalize. The Mets stranded seven runners in the first five innings and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position over that stretch.
In the top of the third inning, back-to-back one-out walks went for naught when three-hole hitter second baseman Daniel Murphy struck out and cleanup man center fielder Yoenis Cespedes grounded out.
Then in the fifth, Cespedes and Duda left two aboard with consecutive strikeouts.
Buchanan was lifted after striking out Cespedes, as he finished 4 2/3 innings of one-run ball in 78 pitches. The Phillies turned to Loewen against the lefty-swinging Duda, which resulted in an inning-ending strikeout.
NOTES: Mets LHP Steven Matz, who is scheduled to start Wednesday, might have his start pushed back to Thursday because of discomfort after sleeping Monday night. The Mets don't believe it to be serious. "We don't expect this to have an impact on Matz beyond the next two or three days," general manager Sandy Alderson said before Tuesday night's game. If Matz is pushed back, RHP Logan Verrett will start Wednesday. ... 3B Maikel Franco (non-displaced fracture in left wrist) is set to rejoin the Phillies on Friday for the team's final series of the season. He went on the 15-day disabled list retroactive to Aug. 12. The rookie is hitting .277 with 13 homers and 48 RBIs in 77 games this season. ... Mets LHP Jon Niese was moved to the bullpen on Tuesday as New York begins to construct its playoff roster. Niese, who made 29 starts during the regular season, will not be in the team's four-man playoff rotation. RHP Jacob deGrom, RHP Matt Harvey and RHP Noah Syndergaard are locks, and the fourth spot is between RHP Bartolo Colon and Matz. ... Phillies 1B Ryan Howard (bruised left knee) remains day to day and could be available to pinch hit during the three-game series against the Mets. He left a Sept. 14 game after being hit on the knee with a throw and hasn't played since.