The Phillies start the second half of the season tonight in first place.

But they are no longer alone. The Mets won last night, picking up right where they left off before the break. That makes 10 straight wins for the Amazin’s.

More importantly, it brings them into a tie with the Phils, who open a three-game set tonight in Florida against the Marlins.

The Phillies did get something important accomplished during the break. Last night GM Pat Gillick pulled the trigger on a deal to plug a huge hole in their starting rotation.

The Phils acquired starting right-hander Joe Blanton from the A’s for three minor league prospects. Blanton’s not a Cy Young candidate, but he’s better than anything the Phillies can send out to the mound other than Cole Hamels.

He muzzled the Phils’ bats in Oakland during their recent West Coast swing. He’ll fill Adam Eaton’s spot nicely. Eaton goes to the bullpen, and everyone holds their breath to see just what Brett Myers has in his tank when he returns to the team next week.

Let the second-half begin. A prediction? The Phils and Mets take turns at the top of the NL East all summer, but the New Yorkers gain some measure of revenge for their collapse last year by nipping the Phils on the final weekend of the season.

Hey, all’s not lost, the Eagles head to training camp on Monday.