(Sports Network) - The New York Mets will try for three straight wins for the first time since late May when they wrap up a four-game series against the NL East-rival Philadelphia Phillies this evening at Citizens Bank Park.

The last time the Mets won three straight was from May 27-29 and Willie Randolph was still manager. After losing the opener of this important series in South Philly on Friday, the Mets responded with back-to-back victories, including Sunday's rain-delayed 4-2 victory in 12 innings.

Veteran slugger Fernando Tatis belted a two-run homer in the top of the 12th to lift the Mets, who pulled within 3 1/2 games of the Phillies for the top spot in the division standings. Florida is in between at 2 1/2 games off the pace.

Carlos Beltran homered and knocked in the other two runs for the Mets, who recorded their third win in their last four games. Joe Smith tossed 2 1/3 shutout innings of relief to earn the win after All-Star closer Billy Wagner blew his sixth save of the season by allowing Jayson Werth's game-tying two- run homer with two outs in the bottom of the ninth.

Mets starter Oliver Perez shut out the Phils on four hits over seven innings, striking out six batters and walking two.

Pedro Martinez will try to tame Philadelphia in Monday's series finale, and he is 2-2 with a 7.39 ERA in seven starts this season. Martinez hasn't fared too well on the hill as of late, going 0-2 with a 10.20 ERA in his last three starts.

Martinez did not factor in the outcome of an 8-7 loss at St. Louis on Wednesday, when he yielded five runs and seven hits in five innings.

The right-hander and three-time Cy Young Award winner is 7-5 with a 3.27 earned run average in 22 career games (18 starts) against the Phillies. Martinez, though, is winless over his last four starts against them.

Philadelphia has dropped two in a row after a four-game winning streak. In yesterday's loss to the Mets, Werth provided some post-July 4 fireworks with his two-run blast in the ninth, while All-Star second baseman Chase Utley went 1-for-6 at the plate.

Phils closer Brad Lidge, who inked a three-year extension on Sunday, is also headed to Yankee Stadium for the All-Star Game.

Chad Durbin allowed two runs in two innings of relief to take the loss in relief. Philadelphia starting pitcher Kyle Kendrick held the Mets to a run on eight hits in six innings of work.

Adam Eaton gives the Phillies their best shot at splitting this series with New York, as he is 5-0 with a 3.29 earned run average in nine career starts against the turnpike rivals.

Eaton had dropped three straight overall starts and was winless in his previous four trips to the mound before beating Atlanta Wednesday at Turner Field. He limited the Braves to a pair of runs and five hits in five innings of a 7-3 victory.

The right-hander is 2-2 in seven home starts this season.

New York is 6-3 against the Phillies this season.