That's more like it

If you were in a coma and missed the Phillies-Mets rivalry in 2007, tonight's game was a pretty good replica.

After Johan Santana gave the Mets fans the kind of "signature" performance they'd been clamoring for all day on WFAN and Joe Blanton was officially inducted into the realm of sucky Phillies pitchers, the Mets led 5-2 in the 9th.

The Phillies were at a disadvantage because Billy Wagner was unavailable because of a muscle spasm. Despite the absence of their favorite whipping boy, the Phillies rallied. Jayson Werth, Greg Dobbs and Shane Victorino all singled to load the bases for Carlos Ruiz. Chooch hit a slow roller in front of second base. Jose Reyes picked it up, but Victorino beat him to the base and everyone was safe, 5-3 Mets.

Up next, pinch-hitter So Taguchi - the league's best pinch hitter last year, 0-16 in such situations this year. He doubled, tying the game. Jimmy Rollins, a fan favorite at Shea, doubled in two more runs and moved to third on a Chase Utley groundout. After Pat Burrell was intentionally walked, Ryan Howard hit one that bounced off the pitcher, allowing J-Roll to score, Phils up 8-5.

Brad Lidge allowed a run in the 9th, but nailed down the win. First-place Phils 8, second-place (tied with the Marlins) Mets 6.

Red Sox: Behind a good performance by ace Jon Lester, the Sox won last night in Seattle and can pull to a half game of the Rays tonight. They're up 1-0 in the 4th. Daisuke Matsuzaka made it through three innings with only 36 pitches.

[Photo credit: Associated Press]