NEW YORK -- By the time Nolan McLean took the mound for the eighth inning Wednesday night, fans at Citi Field were hanging on every pitch. When McLean allowed the first two batters of the eighth to reach base, some shifted uncomfortably in their seats. When McLean escaped that jam -- the only real trouble he faced all night -- unscathed, most of them rose to their feet in a standing ovation.

The Mets (72-61) have not dug themselves fully out of the hole they created with a dreadful start to August. But their 6-0 win Wednesday and three-game sweep of the Phillies (76-57) made up significant ground, shaving Philadelphia’s National League East lead from seven games to four. New York outscored the Phillies by 17 runs (25-8) in the series and has won a franchise-record 10 consecutive hom

See Full Page