Pitching rich
Philadelphia (57-34) at New York (46-45), 4:10 p.m. EDT
Pitching continues to be a big reason for the Philadelphia Phillies’ success, but some recent consistency at the plate is having an influence.
Cole Hamels is well aware of the difference the bats can make.
Hamels tries to win a third consecutive start while the Phillies look for another strong offensive effort against the New York Mets on Saturday.
Philadelphia (58-34) owns the best record in the majors, largely due to an MLB-best 3.01 ERA. That excellence on the mound has helped the Phillies overcome their .249 average, 79 homers and 4.25 runs per game, which all rank in the middle of the NL.
The bats, however, have shown improvement this month, hitting .287 while averaging more than six runs and contributing to a 7-3 record. The Phillies have totaled 45 runs and 10 homers in their last six contests, and that success continued in Friday’s 7-2 win in the opener of this three-game set at Citi Field.
Philadelphia is hitting .280 while taking seven of 10 meetings this season from New York (46-46).
“We’ve got to stay after it,” manager Charlie Manuel said. “If we keep playing the way we have the last five years, we’ll be fine.”
Hamels (11-4, 2.32 ERA), a win shy of his total from last year, surely isn’t complaining about the offense lately. The left-hander has received 14 runs of support in each of his last two starts, winning both while yielding three runs and 11 hits in 16 innings.
In his six starts that have resulted in Philadelphia losses, Hamels has been backed by three total runs and is 0-4 with a 3.50 ERA.
Hamels is 5-1 with a 2.20 ERA in eight road starts, turning in a terrific performance in his most recent visit to Queens on May 28. He fanned a season-high 10 while yielding two runs in seven innings of a 5-2 win, ending a personal five-game losing streak to the Mets.
John Mayberry has been giving the Phillies some surprising punch at the plate, going 8 for 23 with five doubles, two homers and 12 RBIs in six games since being recalled from Triple-A Lehigh Valley earlier this month.
Mayberry, who has replaced the injured Shane Victorino (thumb) in the lineup, had a career-high five RBIs on two hits Friday. He’s making a case to become the right-handed bat the Phillies are reportedly seeking.
“Yeah, I’m aware of that,” Mayberry said. “I definitely feel like I have a great opportunity in front of me.”
The Mets are trying to snap a three-game slide, during which they’ve scored five runs while hitting .182.
“This team has a little window to see where we’re headed. (Saturday), we have to pick up the pieces and try to win the series,” said R.A. Dickey, Friday’s losing pitcher.
Carlos Beltran, who hit his 14th homer Friday, is hitting .344 with four home runs and 15 RBIs in his last 16 games while remaining the subject of trade rumors.
“I’m a Met. And I’m trying to help this team win ballgames,” he said.
Jonathon Niese (8-7, 3.88) gets a start for the first time since allowing three runs in seven innings of a 5-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 6. The left-hander’s most recent appearance came out of the bullpen Sunday, when he allowed two runs while recording just one out during the Mets’ 4-2 defeat at San Francisco.
Niese had lost three straight starts to the Phillies before May 29, when he allowed an unearned run while striking out six in 6 1-3 innings of a 9-5 win.
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