The Mets took their three game series from the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday afternoon defeating Arizona 3-1 behind eight inning from R.A. Dickey.
New York jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom half of the first inning after Dickey retired Arizona 1-2-3 in the first inning. Andres Torres led off with a walk and went first to third, two batters later when David Wright singled to centerfield before moving up to second on the throw. Two batters later Daniel Murphy singled home the pair to put New York up by a pair.
Dickey got through the Diamondbacks’ lineup the first time facing the minimum of nine, but got into some trouble in the fourth inning. Gerardo Parra hit a ground rule double and two batters later Jason Kubel walked to put two on with two out, but Dickey got out of the frame as Paul Goldschmidt flied out to end the threat.
The biggest news of the game occured during the bottom of the fourth, after Ike Davis walked wit two down Ruben Tejada came up looking to reach on a bunt single and did. However the Mets’ shortstop strained his right quad and had to leave the game, likely headed for the 15-day DL as he was replaced by Justin Turner.
The next batter was Josh Thole who singled to score Davis, but Turner was thrown out trying to go first to third in the inning, as the Mets opened up a 3-0 lead on Arizona.
Dickey continued to role along into the seventh inning getting a double play to end the inning. Meanwhile Diamondbacks starter Trevor Cahill retired the Mets 1-2-3 in the bottom of the seventh before coming out for a pinch-hitter in the top of the eighth.
Parra walked to lead off the top of the ninth followed by a double off the bat of Justin Upton to put Arizona on the board for the first time at 3-1. Left-hander Tim Byrdak came on to retire Jason Kubel, followed by Frank Francisco coming on to get the final two outs with a strike out and a fly out to end the game for his seventh save of the season.
The Mets head back on the road after a three game homestand to Philadelphia to take on the Phillies before heading to the new Marlins Ballpark this weekend.
Game Ball: R.A. Dickey pitched brilliantly making it to the ninth inning without allowing a run. The Mets have still yet to throw a complete game this season but Dickey’s performance gave him the closest of any Mets starter this year.
