Mets dominant pitching quiets Phillies bats again for impressive win to push streak to six

What turned out to be a gorgeous night for baseball hinted that the worst of the cold is over.The winter jackets were left at home and cameras were out for the sunset.But as the weather changes and the sample size grows, there have been no signs yet of the Mets pitching staff giving in to the whims of a long season: Their hot start only got hotter.

Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets.The best pitching staff in baseball continued its excellence.

An offense that has done enough did enough and did its best work in the clutch.Defense that generally has looked above average looked better than that.The Mets have taken a step up in competition and have kept on rolling, sealing a series victory over the Phillies with a well-played 5-1 win in front of 36,468 on Tuesday at Citi Field.The Mets (17-7) have won six straight and will seek a sweep from the NL East’s second-place team Wednesday afternoon.

One of the most powerful offenses in baseball has scored in two frames in 18 innings of the series.Behind Griffin Canning, Huascar Brazobán, A.J.Minter, Ryne Stanek and José Buttó, the Mets lowered their MLB-best ERA to 2.37.On this night, the staff had help: Pete Alonso’s balletic, backhanded scoop on a one-hopper from Mark Vientos saved a run in the second inning.

Vientos and a leaping Luisangel Acuña hooked up for a smooth double play in the sixth.Two innings later, Tyrone Taylor made a charging catch on Nick Castellanos and noticed Kyle Schwarber had danced too far off first base, Alonso making another nice pick on a one-hopped bullet from Taylor for a double play.The defense helped the pitching staff thrive, beginning with Canning.

Against the powerful Phillies, he survived.He was not dominant, but he was strong when he needed to be in stranding seven runners on base in his five innings.Canning allowed one run on seven hits with one walk.

The Phillies only scored...