Game Recap: Mike Leake Goes The Distance as Mets Lose 6-1

R.A. Dickey was on mound last night, as the Mets were hoping to help him earn his 16th win of the year. However, it was the home run ball that did Dickey in, and Leake looked magnficent, throwing the second complete game of his career, while keeping the New York bats virtually silent once again. The Mets have now scored only once in their last two games.

Mets Offensive Highlights:

Despite actually scoring a run last night, no one got credit for the RBI because the run came across the plate as part of a double play. To lead off the fourth inning, Mike Baxter and Ruben Tejada both singled (which just so happens to be half of the total hits the Mets recorded all night), then Daniel Murphygrounded into a double play, plating Baxter with the first and only run for the Mets last night. Leake was truly in control, as he retired the Mets in order six out of the nine innings he took the mound, and only allowed them to have three chances with runners in scoring position, a situation in which they went hitless. All four of the hits came at the top of the order, as both Baxter and Tejada enjoyed two-hit games.

Red Offensive Highlights:

Cincinnati mounted a 10-hit attack during Dickey’s appearance, and it started right in the bottom of the first, as Zack Cozart led things off with a double. He was sacrificed over to third, and Brandon Phillips made it worthwhile as he singled him home for the first run of the ballgame. After the Mets tied it in the top of the fourth, the Reds came right back in the bottom of the inning to take the lead for good, as Scott Rolen and Todd Frazier hit back-to-back home runs. They added on insurance in the latter part of the game, as Jay Bruce hit his second home run in as many games, and Mike Leake helped himself with an RBI single. In the seventh, Ryan Ludwick also singled, driving in Drew Stubbs for the sixth run of the night, which proved to be more than enough.

Pitching Highlights:

Dickey’s knuckleball wasn’t at it’s best last night, as he threw 6 innings and allowed 5 runs on 10 hits and 2 walks, while striking out 9 hitters. Jeremy Hefner came in to pitch the final two innings of the game for New York, and gave up the final run of the evening while giving up 3 more hits. The one good thing is that Terry Collins didn’t have to use up the rest of his bullpen to get through the ballgame, which is the beauty of having a pitcher consistently go deep into a ballgame.

Mike Leake was on his game last night, stifling the Mets bats the entire time while tossing the complete game. He only gave up that 1 run on 4 hits and no walks, while striking out 4 hitters. It took him 111 pitches to get through the ballgame, as he was consistently retiring New York in order on the same day that Felix Hernandez threw the 23rd perfect game in MLB history.

The Mets are now at a season-low with their 55-62 record and currently stand 17.5 games out of first place in the NL East and 9 games back of the Wild Card.

Probable Pitchers Thursday:

Once again, the Mets are looking to avoid a sweep at the hands of their opponents, and are turning to rookie Matt Harvey (1-3, 3.63 ERA) to help save them. He will facing Homer Bailey (10-7, 4.08 ERA). First pitch in Cincy is scheduled for 7:10pm.