NEW YORK (AP) -Brett Myers buzzed through the New York Mets' lineup, pitching eight dominant innings and leading the Philadelphia Phillies to a 3-0 victory Friday night that cut their NL East deficit to two games.
Greg Dobbs hit a two-run homer off Mike Pelfrey (13-9), and the Phillies took the opener of a crucial three-game series between the top teams in the division. Philadelphia, which rallied past the collapsing Mets last September, handed New York only its sixth loss in 23 games.
Brad Lidge got through a shaky ninth, retiring Carlos Beltran and Ryan Church with two on to end it.
Shane Victorino helped manufacture a run in the first inning, giving Myers all the offense he needed. The right-hander allowed three hits and struck out 10 in another overpowering performance, winning his fourth straight start.
After struggling early this season and even going down to the minors to polish his game, Myers (9-10) is 6-1 in nine outings since coming back from Triple A on July 20. He has not allowed a run in three of his past four starts, yielding only two runs in his last 31 innings.
Lidge remained perfect in 34 save chances this year. He completed Philadelphia's NL-leading 11th shutout this season, while New York was blanked for the fifth time.
David Wright doubled with one out in the ninth and went to third on Carlos Delgado's single. But Beltran flied to shallow left on a 3-1 pitch and Victorino ran down Church's long drive to center.
With two meetings left this weekend, Philadelphia improved to 6-10 against the Mets this season. The Phillies won the final eight matchups last year and overtook their rivals to win the NL East crown.
