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WHAT IT MEANS: Nick Evans matched a career high with three hits, including a three-run homer, and finished with four RBIs before being double-switched out of the game as the Mets salvaged the finale at Citizens Bank Park, 7-4, to snap a five-game losing streak.

Mike Pelfrey labored, requiring a career-high 125 pitches to get through six innings, but notched his first win since July 27. Pelfrey entered with a 1-3 record and 9.38 ERA in seven career starts in Philadelphia.

Michael Martinez opened the door for a four-run first inning by the Mets. Subbing for injured Jimmy Rollins, Martinez mishandled a surefire double-play grounder off the bat of Ruben Tejada.

Evans eventually capped the inning with a three-run homer. He had hits in five straight at-bats over two games -- and actually hit for the cycle over that two-day span with a triple in his final at-bat Tuesday night, then a homer, single and double in his first three at-bats Wednesday afternoon.

Evans also had three-hit games Sept. 26, 2010 against the Phillies and in major league debut on May 24, 2008 at Colorado, with three doubles off Jeff Francis.

First base has opened for Evans to play with Lucas Duda now getting more regular action in right field, Duda’s presumed 2012 position. Evans’ other major league homer this season came July 10 at San Francisco off Jeremy Affeldt.

WHAT ABOUT BOB? Bobby Parnell notched his second career save, working a scoreless ninth despite walks to Chase Utley and John Mayberry Jr. Parnell’s other major league save came Aug. 5, 2009 against St. Louis, when he worked the final three innings of a 9-0 rout. Parnell had only five minor league saves over six seasons -- all last year.

SPEED BUMP: Josh Thole jawed with Placido Polanco during the bottom of the sixth. Pelfrey said postgame that he was upset Polanco seemed to be sticking his elbow guard over the plate trying to get hit.

Gary Matthews Sr., a Phillies broadcaster, proceeded to set Twitter afire by saying on air: “The Mets are crybabies. That’s why they lose."

PITCH MAN: The Phillies answered the Mets’ four-run first with a three-run second that included a two-run single by Shane Victorino. Pelfrey, working at a deliberate pace, eventually stranded the bases loaded by coaxing a fly out to right field from Hunter Pence.

WRIGHT STUFF: David Wright’s opposite-field homer in the third inning gave the Mets a 5-3 lead. Wright added a sacrifice fly the following inning to up the lead to three runs. Since 2004, the season Wright made his major league debut, he has the second-most homers in the majors against the Phillies. Ex-teammate Carlos Beltran has 25, Wright 23, Dan Uggla 21, Chipper Jones 19, Carlos Delgado 17, and Adam Dunn, Miguel Cabrera and Jose Reyes 16 apiece.

TOE JAM: Ronny Paulino, who may have a broken toe, pinch-hit in the seventh inning and walked. He required Chris Capuano to run for him. The Mets hope to use Paulino in that fashion and rely on newly promoted Mike Nickeas as the backup catcher rather than place Paulino on the disabled list. Paulino is due for more conclusive tests on the toe now that the Mets are returning to New York.

TO ERR: The Mets committed three errors: Duda in right field mishandling a single, then at first base when he missed stepping on the base in the eighth, in a disputed call. Angel Pagan also missed a cutoff man for an error. On the eighth-inning call, after Duda had moved to first base, ump Jim Reynolds ruled Duda was not on the bag after accepting a throw from Justin Turner. Terry Collins argued to no avail. The Mets overcame it when Turner made a diving stop to his right on the ensuing batter Polanco’s grounder and initiated a double play.

WHAT’S NEXT: After a team off-day, the Mets open a series Friday at Citi Field against the Atlanta Braves. Scott Hairston (oblique) is expected to join Jon Niese on the DL before that game. Capuano (9-11, 4.71 ERA) opposes Atlanta right-hander Tim Hudson (13-7, 3.01).