Game Recap: Offense Can’t Back R.A. Dickey in 3-1 Loss

So, the Rockies come into town with the worst pitching staff in all of Major League Baseball. What do they do against the Mets? Just hold them to one run on a measily six hits en route to handing them a loss. The knuckleball was dancing tonight, but one mistake prevented New York’s Cy Young candidate from getting his 16th win.

Mets Offensive Highlights:

New York got off to a quick start in support of R.A. Dickey in the bottom of the first inning; David Wright got things started with a two-out double down the left field line. Then, Daniel Murphy worked a full count before singling in Wright with a base hit to left field. After that, the Mets were only able to muster four more hits the rest of the game; Mike Baxter collected two hits, while Ike Davis and Andres Torrescollected the others. The Amazins went 1-for-5 with runners in scoring position and also stranded ten runners.

Rockies Offensive Highlights:

Although most of their original starting lineup was not playing, Jim Tracy’s team did a good job of hanging in against Dickey and waiting to put a dent into the bullpen. With one out in the 5th inning, Tyler Colvin hit a solo homer into the Pepsi Porch out in right field to tie the score at one a piece. Then in the 8th inning, Jonathan Herrera singled to lead things off, and after he advanced to second on Josh Edgin‘s throwing error, he was sacrificed to third base. Without wasting any time, he scored on a passed ball that got by Kelly Shoppach. Colorado was able to tack on an insurance run in the 9th, as Dexter Fowler used a lead-off walk to come around and score on a single by Ramon Hernandez.

Pitching Highlights:

Outside of one bad knuckler, R.A. Dickey pitched very well in his 25th start of the season, but the New York offense couldn’t give him their usual support, so he gets the no decision, sitting on 15 wins. He went 7 innings and gave up 1 run on 3 hits, 2 walks, and 6 strikeouts. Josh Edgin came in to throw 0.2 innings and give up the go-ahead run by way of his error and a passed ball by Shoppach. Jon Rauch threw an inning himself and got touched up for a run, which hasn’t happened much in recent months. Ramon Ramirez came on in the 9th to get the final out with the use of the strikeout.

Alex White also pitched well, but with 83 pitches to his name after only 4 innings pitched, he got the early hook. During his start, he allowed that 1 run on 3 hits, 2 walks, and 4 strikeouts. Guillermo Moscoso, Rex Brothers, Matt Belisle, and Rafael Betancourt all combined for scoreless relief the rest of the way to secure the victory.

The loss drops the Mets to a season-worst 57-65 on the season, falling deeper and faster away from the .500 mark.

Probable Pitchers Tuesday:

Jhoulys Chacin (0-3, 7.30 ERA) will make his long-awaited return from the disabled list Tuesday night, as he takes on the Mets and Chris Young (3-6, 4.50 ERA). First pitch at Citi is set for 7:10pm.