But when general manager Pat Gillick walked into the Phillies' clubhouse afterward, he wasn't thinking about that. "How's Jimmy?" was what he asked media relations manager Greg Casterioto as he strode through the door.

That would be Jimmy Rollins, the Phils' spark-plug shortstop and reigning National League Most Valuable Player, who had been taken out of the game in the middle of the eighth inning with what was described as a sprained left ankle. So Gillick's concern was understandable.

The news further brightened yesterday's 5-2 win for the team that had nipped the Mets at the wire to win the NL East last season.

Rollins, limping only slightly, said he felt fine and that he hoped to be able to play tonight when the Mets series resumes.

"When I first did it [going back into second on a pickoff attempt in the top of the inning], I heard a nice little pop. It felt like somebody had dropped a weight on it," he said. "Going back in, I was mainly concerned about my knee, but it was the ankle that gave."

He went on to score on a Chase Utley double, then headed for the clubhouse. He said he could have stayed in the game. "But that wouldn't have made sense," he said, after getting two hits and scoring two runs. "We had a healthy player [Eric Bruntlett] over there."

Even without the injury, Rollins figured to be a focal point of interest yesterday. He has been a target in Queens ever since his now infamous we're-the-team-to-beat proclamation before the 2007 season.

So while all the visitors got a nice round of boos from the sellout crowd of 56,350, the reaction for Rollins was a little louder, a little more heartfelt.

He tipped his cap in response. "I had other things in mind, but that was probably the most polite," he said with a wide grin.

Truth is, Rollins revels in this sort of stuff. "I love it," he said. "I'm almost disappointed. I expect more. But it helps you concentrate. It makes the game more interesting, so you smile and give it back."

The Phillies have now beaten the Mets nine straight times, many on late rallies, leading to the inevitable questions about whether Philadelphia has somehow spooked New York.

"If you count them out, you're either not smart or overconfident," Rollins lectured. "Last year is done. Fans remember back to 1950-something, but the teams know it's just one game today. One of many."

He also pointed out that the Phillies have made a habit of coming back in the late innings against every team, not just the Mets.

"It's not just this team, it's anybody," he said. "The seventh, eighth, ninth inning. Usually when it gets close and it's make-or-break time. That's what we do. This is a little sweeter, but I'll take a 13-1 win any time."

Yesterday, a comeback win against the Mets in their home opener was good enough. *