(Sports Network) - Johan Santana goes for the New York Mets this afternoon, as they try and avoid a three-game sweep at the hands of the NL East-leading Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park.

With wins in just three of its last 15 games heading into this series, Philadelphia has relied on solid starting pitching to claim the first two tests of this set.

After Rodrigo Lopez baffled New York's lineup on Friday, Jamie Moyer pitched into the seventh inning on Saturday and the Phillies bullpen did the rest, helping them to a 4-1 win over their division rivals.

Moyer (7-6), in his 600th career start, picked up win No. 253, tying him with Carl Hubbell for 10th all-time among left-handers. The veteran gave up a run on five hits and a walk in 6 1/3 innings of work.

"I'm just happy that I'm here and able to contribute," Moyer said. "The biggest thing is us playing well and winning games regardless of who we're playing."

Jimmy Rollins had a two-run double and Shane Victorino went 3-for-5 with an RBI for the Phillies, who hold a one-game lead in the East on the Florida Marlins and have pushed their advantage to three games on the Mets.

Following a brutal 0-for-28 slide, Rollins is 5-for-his-last-11 with three doubles.

Fernando Nieve (3-2) lasted 5 2/3 frames for New York, giving up four runs -- three earned -- on six hits and six walks. The starter also had the Mets' only RBI in the club's seventh loss in nine games.

Santana, meanwhile, has dropped three of his last four starts and was roughed up by the Milwaukee Brewers on Tuesday, as he was charged with the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) and nine hits in six innings, dropping him to 9-6 to go along with a 3.34 ERA.

The 30-year-old left-hander has beaten the Phillies twice already this season and is a perfect 4-0 lifetime against them with a 2.95 ERA in eight starts.

Philadelphia will counter with righty Joe Blanton, who is 4-4 with a 5.08 ERA. Blanton did not get a decision on Tuesday in Atlanta, as he yielded three runs and eight hits in five innings of his team's 5-4 loss.

Blanton has faced the Mets three times and is 1-0 in those outings with a 2.14 ERA.

New York, which was last swept in Philly back in 2007, has dropped five of its nine meetings with the Phillies this season after winning 11 of the 18 matchups a year ago.