(Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)
Wednesday night's game between the Mets and Phillies featured either two outstanding pitching performances or two anemic offenses. Most would agree that exceptional pitching is responsible for the 1-0 win for the Mets over division rival Philadelphia.
Johan Santana and Chan Ho Park battled for 6 and 1/2 innings before the Mets finally broke through with a run on a throwing error by Pedro Feliz.
Delgado scored on a Fernando Tatis single when Feliz overthrew first baseman Ryan Howard with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Santana went seven innings, gave up only two hits, three walks, and struck out 10. He improved to 4-1 on the season and has an ERA of less than 1.
The ace's biggest test came in the third inning when he walked the opposing pitcher and then immediately gave up a single to Jimmy Rollins.
The Mets' No. 1 starter was able to work out of trouble whenever trouble presented on his way to a dominating win.
Chan Ho Park was equally impressive in a game that could decide his future in the Phillies' rotation. Charlie Manuel issued a similar challenge that Mets' manager Jerry Manuel issued to Oliver Perez: perform or go home.
Well, Park performed much better than Perez, who was assigned to the bullpen after Saturday's lackluster performance.
Park one-hit the Mets over six scoreless innings, struck out five, and walked two. He has all but cemented his place in the rotation, at least for one more start.
Besides the Tatis single that scored Delgado, the Mets' only other hit was a Daniel Murphy double in the fifth inning.
The Phillies 4-5-6 hitters were a combined 1-for-12 with eight strikeouts.
The Mets continue to give Santana little support in his outings. If the Mets are going to continue to rise in the standings, their offense will need to support the starting pitchers more runs and give the bullpen the lead.
Pedro Feliciano pitched a scoreless eighth inning and Francisco Rodriguez put the Phillies down 1-2-3 in the ninth inning for his eighth save this season.
The Phillies committed a season-high three errors including two in the sixth inning. They have committed only eight all season.
These teams will play one more Thursday before the Pirates visit Citi Field and the Phillies play host to Atlanta this weekend.
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