Carlos Delgado hit a tiebreaking, two-run double in the eighth inning and Oliver Perez stifled the Philadelphia Phillies again, helping the New York Mets earn a 3-1 win Thursday that gave them sole possession of first place in the NL East.

Perez struck out 12 in 7 2-3 innings, and Billy Wagner got three outs for his second save in as many days. The Mets took two of three in the series after blowing a three-run lead in the ninth inning of the opener, putting them alone in first place for the first time since April 19.

New York improved to 9-4 against the Phillies this year, after going 6-12 against them last season and losing the final eight meetings.

Eric Bruntlett, subbing for Jimmy Rollins, had three hits for the Phillies, who rallied for an 8-6 win in the series opener against New York but struggled to score after that.

Rollins was a late scratch from the starting lineup _ the Phillies didn't immediately announce a reason _ and grounded out as a pinch hitter with a runner on to end the game.

Wagner earned his 26th save after missing the opener with a sore left shoulder.

Delgado hit a two-strike pitch from J.C. Romero (4-3) with two outs in the eighth inning into the left-field corner to drive in Robinson Cancel and David Wright, who was intentionally walked before the big first baseman came to the plate.

Left-handed hitters were 5-for-68 (.074) against Romero this season before Delgado's clutch hit, which made the slugger 3-for-18 lifetime against the Phillies' reliever.

Perez fired a called strike past Bruntlett at 12:10 p.m. in the unusual early start. Sections of summer-camp kids provided streaks of color in the upper deck of Shea Stadium, and construction workers at new Citi Field watched a few innings from beyond the center-field wall.

The kids and workers in hard hats were treated to terrific pitching performances by the 26-year-old Perez and 45-year-old Jamie Moyer.

Perez ran his scoreless streak against Philadelphia to 24 1-3 innings before Jayson Werth led off the seventh with a long drive to center that hit the top tier of a camera tower. His 13th homer of the season tied it at 1 and was just the fourth earned run allowed by Perez in his last four starts. Continued...