In very Dickey-like fashion, R.A. threw another quality start, going 6 innings and allowing just 3 earned despite serving up 9 hits. In very un-Dickey-like fashion, he got a ton of run support, and got it early. The Mets scored early and often in this one and took the series opener by a final score of 7-3.
In the bottom of the 1st, Wright hit a three-run shot to left-center, driving in Reyes and Turner. Then, in the 2nd, Evans homered to left and then, after a single from Duda and a double from Wright, Pagan drove in a pair. Ross Detwiler lasted just 3 innings for the Nats and left the game trailing 6-1. Ankiel would draw the Nats closer in the 5th with a 2-run homer but Duda answered back in the 7th with a shot of his own to put the Mets up 7-3 for good.
The bullpen was solid as Byrdak and Igarashi combined to pitch a scoreless 7th, actually recording strikeouts for all three outs. Then, in the eighth, September call-up Josh Stinson came in to make his major league debut (I don’t know about that number 64) and retired the side in order, including a strikeout of Mets world-beater Wilson Ramos who had been 14-for-23 against the club this year. Apparently Collins liked what he saw as he actually let Stinson bat in the 9th and he drew a 4-pitch walk. Prettay prettaaaay prettay prettay good. The rookie came back in the 9th and got two outs before Daniel Herrera collected the final out.
Dickey is finally getting rewarded for his good work. His eighth consecutive quality start, the longest such streak for the Mets since Santana put up 14 in a row in 2008, saw him even his record to 3-3 over that stretch as his record now stands at 7-11 on the year. Seeing the Mets homer three times, albeit off of amateur pitching, was exciting to say the least, as it doesn’t happen too often. The lineup hit well top to bottom tonight with only Nickeas and Bay (who would have guessed?) not collecting hits. Pagan, despite getting only a single in the contest, hit two balls to the warning track in right which both looked like they had a shot of going out.
The Mets are really getting on a roll and have now won 7 of their last 8 and look to continue this hot streak tomorrow when Dillon Gee (12-5, 4.24) takes on Tom Milone as he makes his major league debut for the Nats.
4 comments
MetsFan4Decades
9/3/2011-2:00am at 2:00 am (UTC -4)
Well that was fun.
RA Dickey, multi HRs from Wright/Duda/Evans and ML debut of Stinson with Herrera to finish it up.
Have no idea why Igarashi needed to be in this game but that minor annoyance won’t spoil my enjoyment of this win.
Mr North Jersey
9/3/2011-2:13am at 2:13 am (UTC -4)
Nice game. Good to see Duda continue to hit hr’s. He is def making dreams of seeing 2 power hitting lefties (the other being Ike) crushing hr’s for years to come as Mets more and more like a reality.
Ceetar
9/3/2011-6:54pm at 6:54 pm (UTC -4)
and with Wright a lefty killer. (And Bay even hits lefties sorta) it’s gonna be rough times for opposing pitchers. Ike, Wright, Duda. bring in a lefty for Ike? He’ll probably hit him anyway, cause he’s awesome, but if not, better lift him for Wright or you’re screwed. But you can’t leave that righty in to face Duda!
Anonymous
9/3/2011-8:07pm at 8:07 pm (UTC -4)
Here is one man’s opinion of the “The 50 Best Offensive Teams in MLB History.”
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/572765-mlb-power-rankings-the-50-best-offensive-teams-in-mlb-history#/articles/572765-mlb-power-rankings-the-50-best-offensive-teams-in-mlb-history
None of these teams will compare to the greatest offensive team in baseball history, the 2012 New York Mets. Even the most sagacious of sports writers will have to bow to the prowess of this team. Opposing pitchers will beg out of assignments against this team as they approach their starts with trepidation. Woe to the team that must face the 2012 New York Mets. I look forward to this with glee. Now will somebody wake me up.
