MLB

Mets defeat Phillies after trailing 4-0

PHILADELPHIA — Add another chapter to the bizarro world of the Mets this season: They actually outsmarted the Phillies last night.

Just when it appeared as if the Mets might be up the creek without a paddle, they found Pete Orr, whose seventh-inning throwing error — after David Wright enticed a rundown — allowed the tying run to score in what became a 7-4 victory over the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

BOX SCORE

The Mets (17-13) just keep battling. After overcoming a two-run deficit against Roy Halladay in the sixth inning on Monday and winning the game in the ninth, they last night fell into a four-run hole against Joe Blanton before rallying for the lead in the seventh.

The pivotal play came after Wright smacked an RBI single against Chad Qualls that pulled the Mets within 4-3 and sent Kirk Nieuwenhuis to third. Wright made a wide turn at first base as Nieuwenhuis evaluated his options.

With Wright in a rundown, Nieuwenhuis took steps toward the plate. Orr turned his attention to third and made a wild throw toward the bag that allowed Nieuwenhuis to score the tying run.

“I was just trying to stay in it long enough for [Nieuwenhuis] to make up his mind what he wanted to do,” Wright said. “It kind of puts pressure on the defense when Nieuwy is over there bouncing around because Nieuwy can run a little bit. It worked out to our benefit and we got a little bit lucky, also.”

Manager Terry Collins cited the play as an example of speed putting pressure on the opposing defense.

“We had speed on both sides, which really put them in a tough spot,” Collins said. “It was a great job by David to get in the rundown to make the play happen.”

Moments later, Lucas Duda’s RBI single against Antonio Bastardo gave the Mets their first lead of the night. Nieuwenhuis’ RBI single earlier in the inning had pulled the Mets within 4-2 and chased Blanton.

The Mets had a scare in the eighth, when reliever Ramon Ramirez threw two wild pitches to put the tying run at third base with one out. But Ramirez struck out Orr and Tim Byrdak retired pinch-hitter Ty Wigginton to end the threat. The Mets then added two insurance runs in the ninth.

Starting pitcher Miguel Batista’s final line included four runs allowed, two earned, on eight hits and two walks with one strikeout over 5 1/3 innings.

It was step forward for the Mets from that spot in the rotation after Chris Schwinden failed to complete five innings in his two starts and got rocked in both. Batista’s next start would come on Monday against the Brewers at Citi Field.

“My team came out and played the way we believe,” Batista said. “We know that we are a late-scoring team so as a pitching staff we just have to keep the offense from the other team until the other guys come around.”

Jordany Valdespin’s throwing error in the second inning led to two unearned runs against Batista that helped the Phillies take a 4-0 lead. Valdespin threw away John Mayberry Jr.’s grounder leading off the inning before Orr singled home a run and Shane Victorino later delivered an RBI single.

Hunter Pence’s two-run homer in the first inning gave the Phillies their first runs. Juan Pierre singled and stole second before Pence, with two outs, hit a shot into the left-field seats for his seventh homer of the season.