Philadelphia @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Apr 27, 2013 ) Philadelphia 9, NY Mets 4

The Philadelphia Phillies offense may be starting to perk up and there is more help on the way. Catcher Carlos Ruiz rejoins the team Sunday for the finale of a three-game series at the New York Mets after serving a 25-game suspension for testing positive for an amphetamine. Ruiz had his best season in 2012, batting .325 with 16 homers and 68 RBIs in 114 games. The Phillies produced their season high in runs with a 9-4 victory Saturday, winning for the fourth time in five games against the Mets.

New York is fading after a strong start, with eight losses in its last 11 contests, including the first two of the series. The Mets have surrendered at least seven runs in six of those eight defeats and have struggled at times offensively. John Buck has not cooled off, boasting eight homers and 23 RBIs, and captain David Wright has knocked in 18 runs.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, WPHL (Philadelphia), WPIX (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies LH Cole Hamels (0-3, 5.40 ERA) vs. Mets LH Jon Niese (2-1, 3.81)

Hamels has put together three consecutive solid starts without a reward, allowing only six runs over 21 innings. The left-hander has struck out 19 and walked six in that span after being pounded in his first two outings. Hamels has struggled vs. the Mets overall, going 5-10 with a 4.33 ERA over 21 starts, but went 2-0 in 2012. David Wright is 17-for-52 with four homers against Hamels.

Niese remained on schedule despite being hit on the right ankle by a batted ball and leaving after only 2 1/3 innings in Tuesday’s game. Opponents are hitting .287 against Niese, but the left-hander gave his team a chance to win in his first four outings. He is 5-5 lifetime (2-1 last year) vs. the Phillies with a 3.63 ERA over 79 1/3 innings. John Mayberry Jr. is 9-for-28 against Niese with three homers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets captain David Wright has gone 77 games without committing an error, the longest active streak for a third baseman.

2. Phillies SS Jimmy Rollins has 244 hits in his career against the Mets, the most of any active player in the majors.

3. Mets OF Lucas Duda has recorded 16 hits and 17 walks to stand among the league leaders in on-base percentage (.438).

PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Mets 2