Delgado’s late hit leads Mets to win

NEW YORK -- 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 victory Thursday that gave them sole possession of first place in the NL East.

The Mets took two of three in the series after blowing a three-run lead in the ninth inning of the opener.

“I’m very proud of the way this team bounced back after that game the other night,” said Jerry Manuel, who has managed New York to a 21-12 record since Willie Randolph was fired last month. “We’ve been resilient for a long period.”

Eric Bruntlett, who started at shortstop because Jimmy Rollins arrived late to the ballpark, tied a season high with three hits for the Phillies, who have lost four of five.

“Something’s not in tune,” Philadelphia Manager Charlie Manuel said. “. . . I haven’t put my finger on it, but we have to get after it more. We don’t now have that extra kick, the kick we used to have.”

New York got a dominant outing from Perez, who had 12 strikeouts and gave up one run in 7 2/3 innings. The left-hander is 1-0 with an 0.35 ERA in 26 innings against Philadelphia this season.