Flushing, NY (Sports Network) – Michael Martinez hit a three-run homer and drove in a career-best four runs, while Kyle Kendrick turned in seven strong innings as Philadelphia held on to beat the New York Mets, 8-5, in the rubber match of a three-game set from Citi Field.
Jimmy Rollins finished 3-for-5 with two RBI and Ryan Howard knocked in a run for the Phillies, who have won eight of 12 thus far in July.
Kendrick (5-4) allowed one run on six hits with three walks to record his third win in four starts. Antonio Bastardo recorded the final four outs to notch his sixth save.
Ronny Paulino and Lucas Duda each posted two hits and an RBI apiece for the Mets, losers in five of seven. Daniel Murphy hit safely twice and scored a pair of runs.
Mike Pelfrey (5-9) was dented in defeat for six hits and four runs over five full frames.
The visitors appeared to have put the game away for good with a three-run eighth on Ross Gload’s pinch-hit walk with the bases loaded and a two-run single from Rollins to make it 8-1.
New York fought back against three relievers in the home portion, tallying three times on a Duda double-play grounder, plus RBI singles from Paulino and Angel Pagan.
A double from Murphy and triple by Duda cut the Mets’ deficit to 8-5 with two down in the ninth, but Martinez snagged a sizzling grounder off the bat of Paulino and threw to first to end the game.
Philly picked up a run in the first as Chase Utley walked, stole second and scored on Howard’s single into the shift.
In the fifth, Kendrick and Rollins singled then Martinez cleared the wall in right-center for his first career homer and a 4-0 advantage.
Brian Schneider’s leadoff hit in the seventh turned into the Phillies’ fifth run of the contest after a sacrifice from Kendrick, Rollins single and a Martinez sac fly.
Paulino’s double to begin the seventh turned into the Mets’ first run of the day when pinch-hitter Scott Hairston singled him in two batters later.