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Phils down Mets on Victorino's two-out, game-winning single

Sat 5th, July 2008

Philadelphia, PA (Sports Network) - Shane Victorino's two-out single in the bottom of the ninth inning lifted the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-2 win over the New York Mets in the opener of a four-game series at Citizens Bank Park.

Duaner Sanchez started the ninth for the Mets and struck out the first two batters he faced. Pedro Feliz then hooked a double into the left-field corner before Victorino smacked the game-winning single to right.

J.A. Happ made his second major league start for Philadelphia in place of struggling hurler Brett Myers, who was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on Tuesday. The 25-year-old Happ did not factor into the decision, giving up two runs on three hits with four walks and three strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings.

Coincidentally, Happ's first start came against the Mets on June 30 of last season, though it wasn't a day to remember for the young left-hander. He allowed five runs on seven hits -- including three homers -- in four innings to take the loss.

The Phillies had relied on the same five starters the entire season before Happ's 2008 debut.

Chad Durbin was brilliant out of the bullpen, striking out six over 2 1/3 frames. Ryan Madson worked around a lead-off single by Endy Chavez in the eighth and Brad Lidge (2-0) set down the Mets in order in the ninth to earn the win.

Ryan Howard went 2-for-4 and drove in his 73rd run of the season for the Phillies, who have won four in a row. Jayson Werth was 2-for-4 and scored a run, while Pat Burrell knocked in the other run for Philadelphia.

New York starter Johan Santana gave up two runs on six hits over eight solid innings in a no-decision. Santana is winless in his last six starts. Sanchez (3-1) was saddled with the loss.

Ramon Castro finished 2-for-3 with a run scored for the Mets, who have dropped two of their last three. Jose Reyes and David Wright each drove in a run for New York.

Happ was cruising along until he encountered trouble in the fifth, as the Mets loaded the bases with no outs on a single by Damion Easley, a ground-rule double by Castro and a walk to Chris Aguila. After Santana fouled out to the catcher, Reyes reached on a fielder's choice to plate the first run of the game. Happ then issued consecutive walks to Chavez and Wright to bring in another run. Durbin was called on from the bullpen and fanned Carlos Beltran on a high fastball to avoid further damage.

The Phillies put together a rally in the sixth. Werth and Chase Utley stroked back-to-back hits with one gone in the frame. Jimmy Rollins then flied out before RBI singles by Howard and Burrell tied the game at two.

Game Notes

The game was played in a steady rain...Happ is just the 13th pitcher used by the Phillies this season, one year after the club set a franchise record with 28 pitchers used...The Phillies are 19-11 in games started by left-handed pitchers (10-6 at home; 9-5 on the road)...The Mets left six men on base, while Philadelphia stranded five...New York's John Maine (8-6) and Philadelphia's Jamie Moyer (7-6) are scheduled to start on Saturday...Attendance was 44,922.