Flushing, NY (Best E Casino) - Jimmy Rollins' two-run double as part of a six-run ninth lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a come-from-behind 8-6 win over the New York Mets in the opener of a three-game NL East battle at Shea Stadium.

The Phils were trailing by three runs to start the ninth and Duaner Sanchez took the mound to close out the game. However, he didn't record an out and singles by Jayson Werth, Greg Dobbs and Shane Victorino loaded the bases.

Joe Smith then took the mound and induced a grounder up the middle from Carlos Ruiz that Jose Reyes fielded, but Reyes was unable to tag second before Victorino got there and everyone was safe with Werth crossing the plate. So Taguchi then tied the game with a pinch-hit, two-run double over the head of right fielder Endy Chavez. The pinch-hit was Taguchi's first of the season.

Rollins then gave the Phils the lead with a double to left that scored Ruiz and Taguchi. Ryan Howard later grounded out to score Rollins for an 8-5 lead.

Brad Lidge gave up a run in the ninth on Carlos Beltran's RBI groundout, but finished the game to pick up his 22nd save of the season and give the Phillies a one-game lead over New York and Florida for first place in the division.

Victorino added a solo home run for the Phillies, who had dropped two of three in Florida over the weekend.

Joe Blanton, who the Phillies acquired last week from Oakland for three minor leaguers, made his first start in a Philadelphia uniform and gave up five runs on eight hits in six innings of work. Chad Durbin (3-2) got the win for pitching a perfect eighth inning.

Carlos Delgado and Ramon Castro each hit two-run home runs for the Mets. Johan Santana had an excellent outing as he gave up two runs on eight hits with four strikeouts in eight innings of work. Smith (1-2) was charged with the loss.

With two outs in the first, the Phillies got consecutive singles from Pat Burrell, Howard and Werth to take a 1-0 lead.

The Mets took the lead in the third inning. Reyes led off with a walk and Chavez followed with an infield single. David Wright then belted a double to the right-field corner that scored Reyes. On the play, Chavez attempted to score, but Rollins took the cutoff throw from Burrell and nailed Chavez at the plate. After Beltran grounded out, Delgado golfed a pitch into the right field stands for a 3-1 lead.

New York tacked on two more runs in the sixth as Marlon Anderson worked a two- out, four-pitch walk and Castro knocked a 2-2 curveball over the left field fence for a 5-1 advantage.

Philadelphia got back into the contest in the seventh on Victorino's solo home run over the left field wall to make it a 5-2 game.

New York threatened in the seventh, but the Phils were able to keep it a three-run game. With Rudy Seanez on the mound, Chavez led off with a double and Wright followed with a single to right. Chavez came home on the play, but Werth nailed him at the plate. After Beltran was issued a free pass, J.C. Romero took the mound.

Romero got Delgado to fly out to center, but then hit Damion Easley with a pitch to load the bases. Fernando Tatis then hit a soft liner to second that Chase Utley made a diving catch on for the third out of the inning.

Game Notes

Delgado's home run was the 450th of his career, which moved him into 33rd- place on the all-time list...Lidge set a Phillies record with his 22nd consecutive save...Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was ejected from the game between the third and fourth for arguing Delgado's check swing...Utley, who went 0-for-5 in the game, had a 10-game hitting streak snapped...Mets closer Billy Wagner had an MRI that revealed no damage. He was diagnosed with a muscle spasm in his left shoulder. He may miss part or all of the series with the Phils...Santana got the 1,500th strikeout of his career in the fourth when he fanned Pedro Feliz...New York has won seven of 11 against Philadelphia this season.