Shell-shocked Mets continue big set with first-place Phils

Baseball Betting Lines

07/23/2008 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It will be hard to top the drama the New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies put forth in the opener of this series, but the two NL East rivals will go at it again tonight in the second test of a three-game set at Shea Stadium.

Mired in perhaps the tightest division race in baseball, the Mets and Phillies didn't disappoint in Tuesday's series opener, won by Philadelphia by an 8-6 score.

Philadelphia was down 5-2 heading into the top of the ninth inning before pushing six runs across to take the lead for good and stun the Shea Stadium faithful. Pinch-hitter So Taguchi ripped a bases-loaded double to even the score and Jimmy Rollins followed with a two-base hit of his own for a 7-5 lead. Ryan Howard then grounded into a fielder's choice to plate Rollins for a three-run cushion.

Phillies All-Star closer Brad Lidge allowed a run in the ninth but was able to record his 22nd save of the season.

Philadelphia ended a two-game slide and is now back alone at the top of the NL East, one game ahead of both New York and Florida. The Phillies are 2-2 on a six-game road trip and 27-23 away from Citizens Bank Park this season.

Phils embattled starter Brett Myers is back at the big league level after a stint through the club's minor league system and makes his return tonight. Myers was designated for assignment in late June to work on his mechanics, stamina and overall mental psyche.

Before heading to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, Myers was 0-3 in his final five starts for the Phillies. In his last performance at the big league level, Myers faced the Texas Rangers on June 27 down in Arlington. He was sent packing early after yielding five runs and five hits in two innings of an 8-7 loss, in which Myers received a no-decision. He is 3-9 with a 5.84 ERA in 17 starts this season.

The fiery right-hander could be a vital asset to the rotation if he is back at full strength, and is 8-6 with a 5.18 ERA in 23 career games (18 starts) against the Mets. Myers hasn't faced New York in 2008, but is 5-1 with a 4.83 ERA in nine career starts at Shea Stadium.

New York has dropped three of its last four since a season-high 10-game winning streak. In Tuesday's heart-breaking setback, starter Johan Santana pitched brilliantly, allowing a pair of runs in eight frames. Joe Smith was saddled with the loss in relief and Pedro Feliciano gave up two runs in the fateful ninth. Mets closer Billy Wagner was unavailable due to a sore shoulder.

The Mets opened a six-game homestand on a negative note, but still sport a solid 28-19 mark as the host in 2008.

Toeing the rubber for the Mets on Wednesday will be John Maine, who is winless over his last four starts (0-2). Maine, whose last win came on June 25 versus Seattle, was handed the setback his previous time out Friday at Cincinnati.

Maine allowed five runs on five hits and five walks with five strikeouts in 4 2/3 frames of his team's 5-2 loss to the Reds. Maine, who sports a 4-1 mark in nine home starts this season, will put a perfect record against Philadelphia on the line tonight.

The right-hander is 4-0 with a 2.36 earned run average through eight career starts in this series, but did not factor in the outcome of a 9-4 win over the Phillies on July 5 at Citizens Bank Park. Maine surrendered a three-run homer to Howard in 5 2/3 innings of work during that game.

New York is 7-4 against the Phillies this season. It has won three of the last four meetings in the series.