PHILADELPHIA -- Something about the coldest, nastiest conditions appeals to Jon Niese. Something about wind, rain snow, hail, sleet -- whatever, really -- seems to bring out the best in him.So it was Tuesday, when Niese shrugged away some miserable conditions at Citizens Bank Park to deliver seven strong innings, leading the Mets to a 6-1 win over the Phillies that moved them four games above .500 for the first time since July 14, 2012. 
The win also gave the Mets 15 victories in April, their highest total in the season's opening month since 2007.Much of that was thanks to Niese, who succeeded despite the weather in a way that Phillies starter Cole Hamels could not. Keeping the Phillies off-balance with his curveballs and cutters, Niese did not allow his first hit until former teammate Marlon Byrd homered off him with two outs in the fourth. Though he turned relatively mortal after that, giving up three additional hits in seven innings, the Phillies did not score off him again.Niese did it despite a game-time temperature of 46 degrees that dropped throughout the game and must have felt a fair bit colder, considering the steady rain and winds gusting upwards of 20 mph. At certain points, the precipitation reached something close to a downpour, sending fans scattering for cover. Yet this was nothing new for Niese, who owns a 3.10 ERA over his last seven outings in sub-50-degree weather.Compare that to Hamels, who struggled mightily with his control for much of the night. Though Hamels opened the game in relatively good form, he walked four batters in the fourth inning alone, including two -- Niese among them -- with the bases loaded.An inning later, Hamels issued another walk and hit a batter, setting the table for Ruben Tejada's two-run double.Offense came from all angles for the Mets, who received multi-hit games from Daniel Murphy and Tejada, as well as RBIs from Murphy, Tejada, Niese, Chris Young and Josh Satin. Murphy also extended his streak of stolen bases without being caught to 28, five shy of the franchise record.More poor weather is in the forecast for Wednesday's series finale, pitting Bartolo Colon against Kyle Kendrick.Anthony DiComo / MLB.com
The win also gave the Mets 15 victories in April, their highest total in the season's opening month since 2007.Much of that was thanks to Niese, who succeeded despite the weather in a way that Phillies starter Cole Hamels could not. Keeping the Phillies off-balance with his curveballs and cutters, Niese did not allow his first hit until former teammate Marlon Byrd homered off him with two outs in the fourth. Though he turned relatively mortal after that, giving up three additional hits in seven innings, the Phillies did not score off him again.Niese did it despite a game-time temperature of 46 degrees that dropped throughout the game and must have felt a fair bit colder, considering the steady rain and winds gusting upwards of 20 mph. At certain points, the precipitation reached something close to a downpour, sending fans scattering for cover. Yet this was nothing new for Niese, who owns a 3.10 ERA over his last seven outings in sub-50-degree weather.Compare that to Hamels, who struggled mightily with his control for much of the night. Though Hamels opened the game in relatively good form, he walked four batters in the fourth inning alone, including two -- Niese among them -- with the bases loaded.An inning later, Hamels issued another walk and hit a batter, setting the table for Ruben Tejada's two-run double.Offense came from all angles for the Mets, who received multi-hit games from Daniel Murphy and Tejada, as well as RBIs from Murphy, Tejada, Niese, Chris Young and Josh Satin. Murphy also extended his streak of stolen bases without being caught to 28, five shy of the franchise record.More poor weather is in the forecast for Wednesday's series finale, pitting Bartolo Colon against Kyle Kendrick.Anthony DiComo / MLB.com
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