Phils blow lead, fall to Mets 5-2

FROM THE MORNING CALL

PHILADELPHIA —There will definitely be a lot of scoreboard watching at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday.

The Phillies blew a seventh-inning lead Saturday at home and lost to the Mets 5-2, quashing their 11-game win streak, and forcing them to wait at least one more day to solidify a playoff spot.

To claim the NL East title, the Phillies have to beat the Mets on Sunday and the Braves have to lose to the Nationals. But, Philadelphia (93-62) could guarantee itself of a playoff spot for the fourth year in a row by defeating the Mets. San Diego and San Francisco, in the hunt for the NL West crown, play each other next weekend. Heading into Saturday, each had 87 win with eight to play; However, only one of them can reach 94 wins, and the Phillies' next victory will be their 94th.

Kyle Kendrick had everything going right in the first six innings. He allowed only three base runners, one of whom he picked off and the other two were left stranded on first.

But it got ugly in the seventh. Each of the first five hitters he faced all reach base, including Josh Thole, who had been hitless in his last 12 at-bats. Thole hit an RBI single to bring the Mets within 2-1.

Phillies manager Charlie Manuel then turned the ball over to Chad Durbin, who hadn't pitched in six days.

Durbin gave up a three-run single, which put the Mets ahead 4-2. One out later, Jose Reyes cracked a run-scoring double to make it a three-run game.

Ryan Howard provided the Phillies' only fireworks in the first inning with a two-run home run, his 31st of the season.

After the first, the Phils had just one baserunner reach second base.

DINGERS: Jimmy Rollins is expected to be back in Sunday's starting lineup. The shortstop missed the last 13 games with a strained right hamstring. … Cole Hamels, who is 0-3 with a 1.69 ERA against the Mets this season, will face Pat Misch, who is winless with a 4.13 ERA in eight games (three starts) against the Phillies.

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