Phillies Trounce Mets as Wagner Melts Down

NY closer blows a save; Mets' division lead narrows to two games
By Joseph Fasano,  Newser User
Posted Aug 31, 2007 3:18 AM CDT
Phillies Trounce Mets as Wagner Melts Down
Pittsburgh Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit watches as Philadelphia Phillies' Ryan Howard scores in the sixth inning of a baseball game Saturday, July 28, 2007, in Philadelphia. Howard scored on a sacrifice fly by Tadahito Iguchi, whom the Phillies acquired to replace Chase Utley, who is on the disabled...   (Associated Press)

The Mets counted on closer Billy Wagner to pull off a crucial two-inning save last night, and he blew it. Wagner surrendered one run in the eighth inning and two in the ninth, the last on a Chase Utley single that won the game 11-0 for Philadelphia. The Phillies' key four-game sweep cut New York's lead to two games in the National League East.

"I wouldn't call this devastating," maintains an optimistic Wagner, whose club has dropped five straight. With their momentum faltering, the Mets head to Atlanta today for a tough weekend match-up against Braves aces Tim Hudson and John Smoltz. "We can't allow ourselves to hang our heads," said manager Willie Randolph. Philly takes on the Marlins today in Florida. (More New York Mets stories.)

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