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PHI@NYM: Brown's single puts Phils ahead in ninth

NEW YORK -- Jimmy Rollins has noticed some changes this week.

The Phillies are getting healthier and they are starting to show some life.

"The team is starting to feel whole again," Rollins said following Friday's 6-4 victory over the Mets at Citi Field. "The lineup is starting to come together. You feel better about yourself, and it shows up on the field."

It showed up Friday in the eighth and ninth innings.

The Mets carried a 3-2 lead into the top of the eighth when pinch-hitter Domonic Brown singled to center field. He stole second to put the tying run in scoring position with nobody out. Rollins followed with a double into the right-field corner to tie the game.

"He got on and stole a base and I was like, 'Go ahead,'" Rollins said. "He's making my job easier now. All I have to do is get him over. The ball just happened to go down the line. He made it a lot easier for me to do my job, and that's part of playing winning baseball. Everybody is doing their part to make it easy on the next guy.

"It hasn't quite been there, but we're starting to get whole and get our lineup back together."

It hasn't been there for much of the season. Chase Utley just returned to the lineup Monday, which should help. Shane Victorino could be activated from the disabled list next Friday, which would give the Phillies their projected everyday lineup for the first time this season in June.

The lineup still has issues, but Brown could be one of the solutions. The Phillies promoted him from Triple-A Lehigh Valley to take Victorino's spot on the 25-man roster. It is unclear what roster move the Phillies will make when Victorino comes back, but for the time being, Brown is starting in right field against right-handed pitchers.

If he lives up to his potential, the Phillies will have one less problem to worry about.

Brown showed more of his potential in the ninth.

Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez had never allowed a run in his career against the Phillies. In 16 career appearances, he had allowed eight hits, zero runs, six walks and had struck out 15 in 18 1/3 innings. He was 10-for-10 in save opportunities.

Carlos Ruiz and pinch-hitter Ross Gload started the rally with a pair of one-out singles. Brown singled to right to score Ruiz to give the Phillies a one-run lead. Mets first baseman Daniel Murphy seemed to have a play on Brown's ball, but he turned to his side like he was preparing to spin and throw to second for a potential double play.

He just whiffed.

"Frankie pitched well enough to get out of it," Murphy said. "I've got to make that play. That was a bad play."

Rollins' sacrifice fly scored pinch-runner Michael Martinez to take a two-run lead. Utley and Placido Polanco followed with singles to bring in Brown.

In two innings, Brown had two hits, two runs scored, one stolen base and one RBI.

"I was just focused on what I had to do," Brown said. "Last year I was focused, but I was still too high up. I come to the plate now and I'm the same guy, so whenever they put me in the game now, I know what to expect."

Rodriguez's perfect career against the Phillies had ended in a major way.

It was a good start to a nine-game road trip for the Phillies, who also began a stretch of 16 consecutive games against teams with losing records. The Phillies just finished a 20-game stretch against teams with winning records. They went 10-10.

Phillies right-hander Roy Oswalt allowed nine hits and one earned run in six innings. Since he returned from the disabled list earlier this month, Oswalt is 0-1 with a 1.50 ERA. But because he has struck out eight batters in his last 18 innings, some people have been wondering if his lower back, which put him on the disabled list earlier this season, is still bothering him.

Oswalt said he is fine.

"I've only given up three runs in [18] innings, so I think I'm doing OK," he said.

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