Phillies' big rally drops Mets

New York relievers gave up six ninth-inning runs in the collapse, moving Philadelphia a game in front of the Mets in the NL East.

By ARTHUR STAPLE, Newsday

Last update: July 23, 2008 - 12:51 AM

NEW YORK - Billy Wagner needed another day, with the muscle spasm still twitching in the back of his left shoulder. But why did it have to be this day?

While he sat in the clubhouse, four of his fellow relievers made a mess of Wagner's territory, giving up six ninth-inning runs as the first-place Philadelphia Phillies moved a game in front of the New York Mets in the NL East with an 8-6 victory on Tuesday night.

"[The medical staff] had been telling me I needed to take a day anyway," Wagner said. "I told them I still felt the spasm but I was willing to give it a go. But they said it's July, take a day. Maybe if it's September, it might be a little different.

"After seeing that, you can't help but. ... You hate not being out there."

After Johan Santana pitched eight very strong innings, the Mets turned to Duaner Sanchez in the ninth. But Sanchez allowed a single to Jayson Werth. Then another to pinch hitter Greg Dobbs. Then one more, to Shane Victorino, and New York manager Jerry Manuel replaced Sanchez with Joe Smith.

"One of the worst outings I've had this year," Sanchez said. "I walked away from the ninth with the bases loaded, I didn't get anybody out. I didn't help."

Smith got a ground ball, but the chopper to short caught Jose Reyes unable to choose where to go, and Victorino beat Reyes to second. Everybody was safe, the lead was down to 5-3 and Manuel came back out to pull Smith for Pedro Feliciano.

But another pinch hitter, So Taguchi, smacked an opposite-field double to right to score the tying runs. Jimmy Rollins brought in two more with a double, and the night was officially ruined.

"There's no better guy for that situation than Duaner. He's been there before. They all have," Wagner said.

"But once that gets started, whatever pitch you throw, it can't be good enough."