Despite producing a 9-18 record in June, the organization's worst month since September 2003, the Mets lost only 2 1/2 games in the NL East standings. That's because the Phillies had their own struggles.

"Everybody in our division, at least four teams in our division, at this point still have to feel pretty good about their chances," manager Jerry Manuel said. "I don't pay much attention to why the struggles (have occurred). I just ... say, 'Hey, OK, we've got a shot.'"

Now, the Mets and Phillies are set to meet this weekend at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Given Philadelphia's formidable lineup, and with the Mets depleted by injury, Manuel suggested his team isn't going to be able to play Home Run Derby with the Phillies.

"We have to pitch well," Manuel said.

Fernando Tatis' body was laden with ice bags, Francisco Rodriguez's right arm was wrapped with towels. The weary New York Mets went through a lot to gain an improbable victory in an unwanted game. Two days after appearing to be in a freefall, the Mets pulled off the kind of victory that can turn a season around.

Instead of the parade of taxis that usually delivers visiting players to the loading dock entrance at Milwaukee's Miller Park, the New York Mets rode in together on a bus from their hotel. If they haven't been playing as a team lately, they at least could arrive as one. Ryan Church couldn't recall ever riding to a game on a team bus in his career.

Ryan Braun, Prince Fielder and the Milwaukee Brewers are still in first place despite a rough month. The Mets haven't been so lucky. Braun hit a three-run double and scored on Johan Santana's throwing error, sending the Brewers to a 6-3 victory on Tuesday night that extended New York's losing streak to a season-high five games.

Brewers hitting coach Dale Sveum had recently told Casey McGehee that there's nothing like the emotional swings they face in baseball. McGehee faced it all in the same inning. "I experienced them both pretty quick," McGehee said. "It's ironic people start talking about stuff and it happens right away." McGehee hit his first career grand slam moments after committing a...