June 11 -- UTLEY VS. PELFREY?

BY SCOTT LAUBER

NEW YORK -- From the Phillies' perspective, last night was about Jayson Werth's game-saving, diving catch in right field to close the 10th inning and Chase Utley's game-winning leadoff homer to open the 11th. It was about evening this three-game series before tonight's rubber match. And, perhaps most importantly, it was about regaining a three-game lead in the NL East.

On the Mets' side, there were two other storylines.

There was the small victory for the New Yorkers, who pounded out 11 hits against Cole Hamels, the man who in December was baited into calling them "choke artists" by a pair of Big Apple sports-talk radio hosts. And there was the minor (so minor that it really never happened) sixth-inning flare-up between Utley and Mets starter Mike Pelfrey. A few New York reporters asked Utley about it after the game, and he looked at them like they each had 12 heads. Basically, Pelfrey was miffed when, just as he was ready to deliver a pitch, Utley stepped out of the batter's box. Pelfrey yelled toward the batter's box, and although it appeared he had more to say to Utley after the at-bat (a groundout to second base), both players said there were no words exchanged.

"I was about to step into the box and it seemed like he was ready to pitch," Utley said. "I wasn't trying to make him frustrated. I was trying to put a good at-bat together."

Said Pelfrey, "My mind was locked in and the adrenaline was going and I wanted to make a pitch. I got upset and told him to get in the box. I don't even know the guy. It was too much adrenaline, I guess."

So, there you have it. Much ado about nothing, it seems.