SB Nation New York - Mets Vs. Phillies: Philadelphia Pounds New York To Get Sweephttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/48977/ny-fave.png2012-09-20T22:21:22-04:00http://newyork.sbnation.com/rss/stream/31106432012-09-20T22:21:22-04:002012-09-20T22:21:22-04:00Phillies Vs. Mets Final Score: Philadelphia Piles On New York, 16-1, To Earn Sweep
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<p>The <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Phillies</a> scored eight runs in the first inning Thursday and never looked back, easily defeating the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Mets</a><span class="sbn-auto-link">, 16-1, to earn the series sweep at Citizens Bank Park.</span></p>
<p>Mets starting pitcher <span>Jeremy Hefner</span> (2-7) didn't even record an out in the first, surrendering seven earned runs on six hits and a walk. Phillies second baseman <span>Chase Utley</span> recorded two singles in the inning, knocking in two RBIs in the process. He finished with four hits and four RBIs on the night, as Philadelphia tallied 21 total hits.</p>
<p>New York went through 10 total pitchers in the blowout.</p>
<p>Philadelphia first baseman <span>Ryan Howard</span> drove in five RBI, including a grand slam in the ninth inning, where the Phillies poured on seven more runs.</p>
<p>Phillies starting pitcher <span>Tyler Cloyd</span> (2-1) threw eight innings, giving up three hits and one earned run while striking out six.</p>
<p>Mets right fielder <span>Mike Baxter</span> was responsible for New York's lone run, launching a solo homer in the fifth.</p>
<p><i _idv_element_hash="148285456">For more on the Mets, please be sure to check out our blog <a href="http://amazinavenue.com/">Amazin' Avenue</a> and <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/">SB Nation New York</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/9/20/3366294/phillies-vs-mets-final-score-ryan-howard-chase-utleyGriffin Gotta2012-09-20T06:12:35-04:002012-09-20T06:12:35-04:00Phillies 3, Mets 2: Matt Harvey Brilliant In Final Start, Bullpen Not So Much
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<p><font size="2">Flushing, NY (Sports Network) - Philadelphia turned to one of its mainstays to keep its tenuous playoff hopes alive.</font></p>
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<p><span>Ryan Howard</span> answered the call in a big way.</p>
<p>Howard's two-out, two-run home run in the top of the ninth turned a crippling defeat into a necessary victory, as the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a> downed the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a>, 3-2, in the second contest of a three-game set at Citi Field.</p>
<p>"To be here is a testament to the character of this team," said Howard. "We are just trying to play it all out."</p>
<p><span>Chase Utley</span> worked a two-out walk against <span>Josh Edgin</span> (1-2) then Howard crushed a belt-high fastball high into the night. It finally landed just above the facade of the upper deck in right to give the Phillies the lead. The home run made a winner of <span>Jeremy Horst</span> (2-0) and Jonathan Papelbon navigated the ninth for his 36th save.</p>
<p>Before Howard's heroics, the game belonged to Mets starter <span>Matt Harvey</span>, who surrendered only <span>Jimmy Rollins</span>' leadoff home run and three walks along with seven strikeouts in seven innings. The rally also moved the Phillies past the Pittsburgh <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.bucsdugout.com/">Pirates</a> and into fifth place in the National League wild card standings, four games behind St. Louis for the second wild card berth after the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.vivaelbirdos.com/">Cardinals</a> downed Houston on Wednesday.</p>
<p>Cole Hamels kept the Phillies in the game with six solid frames, surrendering two runs on six hits with 10 strikeouts and one walk. He reached the 200- strikeout milestone in the fifth, but failed to reach 15 wins in the process, a mark he achieved in 2007.</p>
<p>David Wright hit a solo home run in the sixth, while <span>Ruben Tejada</span> finished with three hits. <span>Scott Hairston</span> and <span>Ike Davis</span> finished with two hits apiece for the Mets, who lost their fourth straight game.</p>
<p>The cool game-time temperature and breeze blowing in toward home plate didn't bother Rollins in the first. The Phillies leadoff hitter jumped on a fastball, driving the game's fifth pitch just over the wall in right field to give the visitors an early lead.</p>
<p>All was quiet for Hamels until he ran into two-out issues in the third. Tejada slapped his second straight single to left, stole second and took advantage of <span>Juan Pierre's</span> poor arm to score on <span>Daniel Murphy's</span> base hit to left.</p>
<p>Hamels gave up a pair of hits -- Hairston's double and Davis' infield single -- to start the fourth, but he struck out the next two batters and induced a fly out off <span>Andres Torres</span>' bat to escape any damage.</p>
<p>The Mets took the lead in the sixth, as Wright showcased his strength, blasting a 400-foot shot against the wind to the opposite field in right- center for his 27th career home run against the Phillies.</p>
<p>New York was in search of some insurance in the eighth, loading the bases with one out, but Torres grounded into a double play to end the threat.</p>
<p>That proved costly after Howard's long blast in the ninth, his first home run off a left-handed relief pitcher this season. It was also Howard's first career go-ahead home run with two outs in the ninth inning.</p>
<p>"It was up, middle up," said Edgin of the pitch. "That's what he's paid to do. He's a big guy paid to hit home runs. I gave him a meatball, so he's going to do it."</p>
<p><b>Game Notes</b></p>
<p>Murphy has a MLB-leading 24 hits against Philadelphia this season ... The make-up game from Tuesday's rainout will take place Thursday with <span>Tyler Cloyd</span> on the mound for the Phillies against <span>Jeremy Hefner</span> for the Mets ... Howard's home run was his 11th of the season and his first in September ... Howard was also hitless in his last 18 at-bats versus lefties prior to the home run ... Rollins has 20 home runs and 20 stolen bases since the beginning of June .. The Phillies went 23 plate appearances between Rollins' home run and their second hit of the game, John Mayberry Jr.'s bloop single in the eighth.</p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/9/20/3362082/matt-harvey-mets-phillies-final-start-score-ryan-howardRyan Jones2012-09-19T16:46:13-04:002012-09-19T16:46:13-04:00Mets Vs. Phillies: Wednesday Lineups Announced
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<p>The lineups for Wednesday's matchup between the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> and <a style="background-color: #ffffff; " href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a> have been announced. Changes to the Mets' lineup from Monday include Ike Davis at first base with Lucas Duda moving to left field in place of <span>Jason Bay</span>, who is not in the lineup.</p>
<p>Kelly Shoppach will catch Matt Harvery.</p>
<p>For the Phillies, <span>Juan Pierre</span> is hitting in the No. 2 spot for the Phillies and playing in left field defensively. <span>Domonic Brown</span> moves over to right field.</p>
<p>Take a look at the lineups here:</p>
<p>Phillies</p>
<p>1. <span>Jimmy Rollins</span> (S) SS<br>2. Juan Pierre (L) LF<br>3. <span>Chase Utley</span> (L) 2B<br>4. <span>Ryan Howard</span> (L) 1B<br>5. <span>Carlos Ruiz</span> (R) C<br>6. Domonic Brown (L) RF<br>7. <span>John Mayberry</span> (R) CF<br>8. <span>Kevin Frandsen</span> (R) 3B<br>9. <span>Cole Hamels</span> (L) P</p>
<p>Mets</p>
<p>1. <span>Ruben Tejada</span> (R) SS<br>2. <span>Daniel Murphy</span> (L) 2B<br>3. <span>David Wright</span> (R) 3B<br>4. <span>Scott Hairston</span> (R) RF<br>5. <span>Ike Davis</span> (L) 1B<br>6. <span>Kelly Shoppach</span> (R) C<br>7. <span>Lucas Duda</span> (L) LF<br>8. <span>Andres Torres</span> (S) CF<br>9. <span>Matt Harvey</span> (R) P</p>
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https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/9/19/3359340/mets-vs-phillies-wednesday-lineupsBrandon Scott2012-09-19T09:24:12-04:002012-09-19T09:24:12-04:00Mets Manager Terry Collins Defends Ike Davis
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<p><span>Ike Davis</span> wasn't the only person surprised <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/9/18/3351878/new-york-mets-trade-ike-davis/in/3110643">by the report this week</a> the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> would consider trading the first baseman in the offseason due to concerns about his late nights in NYC. Davis' manager, Terry Collins, was quick to defend one of the few players in the lineup that has any power by shooting down the idea there have been talks behind the scenes.</p>
<p>"There's not a coach in that office, not the manager, the front office, that has ever brought up a problem with Ike Davis," <a href="http://newyork.cbslocal.com/2012/09/19/mets-ike-davis-nightlife-report-unfair-and-not-really-true/">Collins told reporters emphatically</a>. "So that is as far from the truth as anything I've ever read."</p>
<p>Collins was quick to point out Davis would not have been able to play in 141 of 147 games this season if he were living it up on the town every night. He also wanted everyone to know just how good of a guy Davis has been during his time with the Mets.</p>
<p>"I don't want this to ever be a defamation on his character. He's a stand-up guy. Matter of fact, speaks the truth above and beyond the need for it."</p>
<p>We shouldn't take Collins backing up his player to mean Davis won't be on the move during the offseason. The same goes for everyone else on a team short on untouchable assets.</p>
<p>"There's not a guy in that clubhouse who can't get traded," Collins added. "Not a guy."</p>
<p>Considering how pathetic nearly every Mets player not named Dickey has been this season, there shouldn't be anyone feeling comfortable. From <span>David Wright</span> to <span>Josh Thole</span> to <span>Josh Edgin</span>, GM Sandy Alderson will take calls on every player currently under contract.</p>
<p>So if anyone does want to stay in New York (not exactly a good thing to assume) they would all be smart to take the advice Collins gave to Davis in a one-on-one meeting after the rumors about him started to spread.</p>
<p>"Play really, really, really hard every day... Finish strong and then give them something to write about. Give them something really positive to write about."</p>
<p>Judging by the complete no-show from this team in the second half, that's not likely, but it's a good message for Davis and the rest of his teammates to take to heart as they finish their final 15 games.</p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/9/19/3356834/ike-davis-trade-mets-lucas-dua-terry-collinsRyan Jones2012-09-19T08:00:50-04:002012-09-19T08:00:50-04:00Mets Vs. Phillies Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers
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<p>After rain postponed Tuesday night's second game between the <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/">New York Mets</a> and <a class="sbn-auto-link" href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Philadelphia Phillies</a>, the two teams will try to get in their game at Citi Field in New York on Wednesday at 7:10 p.m.</p>
<p>The Mets will send <span>Matt Harvey</span> (3-5, 2.92) to the mound after Harvey was scheduled to take the mound for the home team on Tuesday. The Phillies will counter with <span>Cole Hamels</span> after Philadelphia took the first game of the three-game set on Monday, 3-1.</p>
<p>The game originally scheduled for Tuesday night was rescheduled for Thursday, which means the Mets will not have another off day in the 2012 regular season. With 15 games remaining, the Mets stand at 66-81, good for fourth place in the NL East.</p>
<p><b>Time and Date</b>: Wednesday Sept. 19, 7:10 p.m.</p>
<p><b>Location</b>: Citi Field, Queens, N.Y.</p>
<p><b>TV</b>: SNY (New York), CSP (Philadelphia), <a href="http://philadelphia.phillies.mlb.com/mediacenter/index.jsp?c_id=phi#date=9/19/2012">MLB.tv</a></p>
<p><b>Radio</b>: WFAN (New York), WPHT (Philadelphia)</p>
<p><i>For more Mets coverage, check out <a href="http://www.amazinavenue.com/">Amazin' Avenue</a>. </i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/9/19/3355820/new-york-mets-2012-mlb-schedule-philadelphia-phillies-game-time-tv-schedule-probable-pitchersAsher Feldman2012-09-18T17:15:42-04:002012-09-18T17:15:42-04:00Mets Vs. Phillies Rained Out; Makeup Game Thursday
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<p>Rain will keep the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Mets</a> from taking the field Tuesday night, and their game against the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Phillies</a> will now be played Thursday night at 7:10 p.m.</p>
<p>The squads were supposed to play the second game of their series Tuesday, but now that turns into an impromptu off day with the teams' mutual off day Thursday turning into a game. <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/phillies_zone/Phillies-Mets-postponed-to-Thursday.html">Matt Gelb of Philly.com reports</a> that the Mets were the ones who decided to use up the Thursday free date while the Phillies would have preferred to play a double-header Wednesday and head back home to Philadelphia a day early. It's not clear whether this was a bit of gamesmanship on the Mets' part, hoping to irk their division rivals still in the chase for a playoff spot or just a desire not to have to play a double-header.</p>
<p>The pitching matchups will remain unchanged: <span>Matt Harvey</span> will still face off for the Mets Wednesday against Phillies' ace <span>Cole Hamels</span>, while the original Tuesday faceoff between the Mets' <span>Jeremy Hefner</span> and the Phillies' <span>Tyler Cloyd</span> will now take place in the series finale Thursday.</p>
<p><i>For more on the Mets, head over to </i><a href="http://amazinavenue.com">Amazin' Avenue</a><i>, and continue to check out</i><a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com"> SB Nation New York</a><i> for the latest news and updates.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/9/18/3354356/new-york-mets-philadelphia-phillies-rained-out-schedule-postponedRodger Sherman2012-09-18T10:29:27-04:002012-09-18T10:29:27-04:00New York Mets Reportedly Open To Trading Ike Davis
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<p>According to Adam Rubin of ESPN, the <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Mets</a> are open to the idea of trading first baseman <span>Ike Davis</span> this offseason if it will help them improve other areas of the team. <a href="http://espn.go.com/blog/new-york/mets/post/_/id/57189/trade-ike-davis-its-on-the-table" target="_blank">Via ESPNNewYork</a>:</p>
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<p>The Mets will consider trading Ike Davis this offseason as a way to upgrade other areas of the team and open a spot for <span>Lucas Duda</span> at his natural position, a baseball source told ESPNNewYork.com.</p>
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<p>Davis started the season in awful fashion, but he's been much better since June. His batting average now sits at .223 after being well under .200 for the early portion of the season. More importantly, though, Davis has hit 27 homeruns while playing above average defense at first base, something that should see the 25-year-old retain some decent trade value.</p>
<p>The Mets have a natural replacement for Davis in Lucas Duda. Duda is best suited defensively to first base, and he's much like Davis in his decent power, good plate discipline and low batting average profile. He's struggled mightily in the outfield this season for the Mets, so much so that he was briefly demoted to AAA Buffalo to work on the defensive portion of his game.</p>
<p>The Mets have obvious holes in the outfield and bullpen that they need to address this winter. They could also look at an upgrade behind the plate.</p>
<p><i _idv_element_hash="148285456">For more on the Mets, please be sure to check out our blog <a href="http://amazinavenue.com/">Amazin' Avenue</a> and <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/">SB Nation New York</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/9/18/3351878/new-york-mets-trade-ike-davisStephen Schmidt2012-09-18T08:00:55-04:002012-09-18T08:00:55-04:00Mets Vs. Phillies Preview: Game Time, TV Schedule, Probable Pitchers
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<p>The <a href="https://www.amazinavenue.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">New York Mets</a> continue their series with the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Philadelphia Phillies</a> Tuesday looking to even the series at a game apiece.</p>
<p><span>Matt Harvey</span> (3-5, 2.92) takes the mound for the Mets. Harvey struck out 10 in five innings while allowing only five hits and one run against the <a href="https://www.federalbaseball.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Washington Nationals</a> in his last start. He has allowed more than two earned runs only once in his last six starts and only twice in nine starts this season.</p>
<p>For the Phillies, <span>Tyler Cloyd</span> (1-1, 4.95) gets the start looking to continue Philadelphia's push towards the playoffs. The 25-year-old Cloyd lasted only three innings against the <a href="https://www.crawfishboxes.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Houston Astros</a> in his last start, and lasted only four innings against the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/" class="sbn-auto-link">Colorado Rockies</a> in his start prior to that.</p>
<p>The Phillies are presently 3 <span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: normal;">½ </span>games out of the second Wild Card spot. They have won seven of their last 10 while the Mets are currently riding a three-game losing streak.</p>
<p><b>Game Time: </b>7:10 p.m. ET</p>
<p><b>TV: </b>SNY</p>
<p><b>Radio: </b>WFAN 660</p>
<p><i _idv_element_hash="148285456">For more on the Mets, please be sure to check out our blog <a href="http://amazinavenue.com/">Amazin' Avenue</a> and <a href="http://newyork.sbnation.com/">SB Nation New York</a> for all the latest news and updates.</i></p>
https://newyork.sbnation.com/2012/9/18/3350272/new-york-mets-2012-mlb-schedule-philadelphia-phillies-game-time-tv-schedule-probable-pitchersJack Cassidy