Phillies 3, Mets 2: New York Blows Early Lead, Falls 3-2 In Series Finale

A series sweep was just not in the cards for the New York Mets Thursday, as the Philadelphia Phillies used a terrific outing from starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick (8-9) and timely hitting to down the visitors, 3-2, at Citizens Bank Park. The loss snapped a four-game losing streak for the Mets (61-70) and gave the Phillies (62-69) at least one victory in the three-game set.

Kenderick earned the win after tossing 7 2/3 innings allowing two runs on seven hits. Losing pitcher Jon Niese (10-8) looked sharp early, but a two-out rally by the Phillies in the bottom of the third inning, which trimmed the Mets two-run lead to 2-1, was the beginning of the end.

Philadelphia tacked on runs in both the fourth and fifth to take a 3-2 lead. From there, Kendrick held the Mets in check then handed the game over to the bullpen in the eighth. Raul Valdes got one out in the eighth and Jonathan Papelbon pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his 30th save of the season.

Overall, the Mets' David Wright and Scott Hariston each went 2-for-4. Hairston collected a solo home run in the second inning which game New York an early 2-0 lead.

For more on the Mets, visit Amazin' Avenue. For the opponent's perspective, visit The Good Phight.

Mets Vs. Phillies Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers

The New York Mets go for a sweep of the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday afternoon. A win would give the Mets sole possession of third place in the NL East.

The Mets will send Jon Niese (10-7, 3.51 ERA) to the mound on Thursday. Niese is coming off a start against the Houston Astros on Aug. 24 where he went seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits in a loss.

The Phillies will counter with Kyle Kendrick (7-9, 4.12). In Kendrick's last start against the Washington Nationals on Aug. 24, he went six and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs on four hits in a win, his third straight.

The game is scheduled for a 1:05 p.m. first pitch from Citizen's Bank Park. SNY has the television coverage. Radio coverage of this game can be heard on WFAN 660 AM.

For more on the Mets, visit Amazin' Avenue. For the opponent's perspective, visit The Good Phight.

Mets Announce Arizona Fall League Contingent

The New York Mets have announced the seven prospects that will be sent to the Arizona Fall League. The team will include players from the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals.

The seven players:

Ryan Fraser, RHP

Chase Huchingson, LHP

Adam Kolarek, LHP

Greg Peavey, RHP

Darrell Ceciliani, OF

Cesar Puello, OF

In their mid-season prospect rankings, SB Nation's Mets blog Amazin Avenue ranked Cesar Puello No. 14 in the organization, Darrell Ceciliani No. 30 and Adam Kolarek No. 48.

St. Lucie manager Ryan Ellis will be the hitting coach for the team.

The Arizona Fall League is owned and operated by Major League Baseball and is designed to give the top prospects in baseball an opportunity to gain valuable experience against top competition in a controlled environment. Games are held in five spring training complexes, with each team sending seven players from Triple-A and Double-A to make up six teams total in the league.

Mets 9, Phillies 5: Kelly Shoppach, Bullpen Lead New York To Extra Innings Win

The New York Mets opened their series against the Philadelphia Phillies with a 9-5 win Tuesday night. The Mets overcame a first-inning, four-run rally, evening things up in the eighth and then blowing it open in extra innings.

A four-run rally in the top of the 10th sowed up the series-opening win. Ike Davis, Lucas Duda, and Kelly Shoppach combined to drive in all four runs as the Mets lit up B.J. Rosenberg

Shoppach had a highlight night at the dish, tying things up with a double that scored David Wright in the eighth and then capping the 10th-inning rally with a two-run shot. Shoppach took a 3-2 pitch from Antonio Bastardo to left to score Wright and tie it up at 5-5. Wright and Daniel Murphy joined Shoppach with multi-hit games. The Mets third baseman drove in two runs early in the game and then scored two later on as the Mets came back.

Mets starter Chris Young was knocked around in the first, and then chased in the fifth after giving up five runs. But the bullpen held the line as five relievers combined to keep the Phillies to just five runs. The staff will now turn to Matt Harvey on Wednesday as New York tries to take the series against Cole Hamels, who's had a dominant month on the mound.

For more on the Mets, visit Amazin' Avenue. For the opponent's perspective, visit The Good Phight.

Mets At Phillies: Series Opens In Philadelphia