Hamels Blows Lead; Phils Fall To Mets 4-3
PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A three-run cushion for Cole Hamels used to mean a near-automatic win.
Not this year.
Hamels blew a 3-0 lead in his latest disappointing outing, and the New York Mets rallied to beat the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 Friday night.
"It does get frustrating at times," Hamels said. "I'm striving to win. When I make a (bad) pitch, it seems to break the game open."
Hamels (2-11) allowed four runs and seven hits in six innings.
The three-time All-Star and 2008 World Series MVP hasn't received much run support this season, contributing to his poor record. But he's 2-4 with a 6.94 ERA in six starts when the Phillies have scored at least four runs for him, and 2-5 when they get at least three.
"It's a process. You can't be selfish in this game," Hamels said. "If you want to be a team player, you can't put the selfish side in there. I'm not doing my part because I'm not defending enough runs when I get runs."
Phillies manager Charlie Manuel became testy when questioned about his team's offense.
"We had runners on base but couldn't knock them in," he said.
Juan Lagares hit a go-ahead double and ran down a deep drive, and Jeremy Hefner pitched six effective innings to help the Mets snap a five-game losing streak against the Phillies.
Hefner (2-6) gave up three runs — two earned — and 10 hits.
Before his clutch hit at the plate, Lagares made a fine catch on Carlos Ruiz's fly to center with the bases loaded and two outs in the fifth to keep the score tied at 3.
"When the count went 3-1, I took a step back," Lagares said. "It was over my head and I went after it hard."
Hefner said he was holding his breath when the ball was hit.
"Juan is an unbelievable athlete," he said. "You saw a little of it in spring training, and getting to watch him every day is exciting."
Eric Young Jr. had two hits, including a two-run single for the Mets, who have won three of four. Scott Rice and Carlos Torres each tossed a hitless inning and Bobby Parnell finished for his 12th save in 15 tries.
The Phillies have lost two in a row after coming within one out of sweeping the defending NL East champion Washington Nationals before Jonathan Papelbon blew a save Wednesday night. They're four games under .500 and just four games ahead of the Mets.
Hamels didn't allow a hit until Young lined a double off the wall to start the fourth. One out later, David Wright's RBI single cut the deficit to 3-1.
Young hit a two-run single with two outs in the fifth to tie it at 3. Lagares doubled and Omar Quintanilla singled before Young's key hit.
After Lucas Duda walked in the sixth, Lagares ripped a two-out RBI double to left-center to make it 4-3. Lagares finished 3 for 4 with two doubles.
Hefner allowed one earned run in each of his previous three starts without getting a win. But this time, he got his first win since May 29.
The Phillies gave Hamels a 3-0 lead in the second. Ryan Howard led off with a double to right-center and scored on Domonic Brown's double down the right-field line. After Delmon Young singled, Brown scored on a grounder by Ben Revere.
An error by second baseman Daniel Murphy on Jimmy Rollins' two-out grounder scored Revere to make it 3-0.
NOTES: The Phillies sent INF Michael Martinez to Triple-A Lehigh Valley to make room for Chase Utley, who came off the disabled list. ... Hamels fell to 6-11 vs. the Mets. ... Revere extended his hitting streak to 11 games with a bunt single. ... Dillon Gee (5-7) faces Phillies rookie Jonathan Pettibone (3-3) on Saturday.
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