Sweeney in the mix for Phillies in win over Mets

WHEN THE Phillies picked up Matt Stairs a couple years ago, then-general manager Pat Gillick's hopes were modest. If Stairs could help win one game, he reasoned, the move would have been worthwhile.

That his signature moment turned out to be a pinch-hit, game-winning home run in Game 4 of the NLCS at Dodger Stadium was just a bonus.

Getting Jeff Conine late in 2006 didn't result in the same payout, but the philosophy was the same. As it was earlier this week when veteran Mike Sweeney materialized in a Phillies uniform.

Sweeney doesn't get all the credit for turning what appeared destined to be a desultory loss into a stirring, 7-5 win over the Mets last night. But his leadoff single in the bottom of the eighth was the first of five straight hits against the New York bullpen that led to a six-run rally, which lifted the Phils to their 13th win in the last 15 games.

Fittingly, Sweeney also drove in the final run with a single to left when the lineup turned over. It was his first start since joining the team in Florida on Wednesday.

"It was truly a team effort. Even though it was late, our bats came alive," he said. "This was great. It's a great lineup and to be in the middle of. It was a blast. It's a night I'll always remember. I'm used to watching the Phillies do this in October when I'm on my fishing trips. To be a part of it is a joy. It's like nothing I've ever experienced in the big leagues."

He also made a nice diving stop at first base to rob Carlos Beltran in the top of the eighth and, after his leadoff single in the bottom of the inning, went first-to-third on Jayson Werth's base hit up the middle.

"I'm not the fastest guy in the world, but I take pride in the way I run the bases," Sweeney said. "Ball in the dirt, first-to-third, it's big. I hope that bringing that here, a little passion and a little energy, can spread through the clubhouse. Because that one extra base can be huge."

Second-guessing a Manuel is nothing new around Citizens Bank Park, but this time it was Mets manager Jerry Manuel who had some explaining to do. After pitching out of trouble in the first inning, his starter, Jon Niese, allowed just one runner to get as far as second before he left the game in the top of the eighth with a 2-1 lead.

He said that he thought Niese's pitch count, 111, was enough. Still, considering what happened next, he might have wondered.

Bobby Parnell came in and gave up four straight singles.