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.

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