Game Recap: Mets Mount Late Comeback, But Fall in Extras, 4-3

R.A. Dickey was looking to earn his 21st win and solidify his candidacy for the NL Cy Young award last night. He had a solid outing, but the Mets weren’t able to start scoring until the knuckler exited the ballgame. The Mets fought for a while and took the game into extras, but they weren’t able to put any scoring rallies together to get a win.

Mets Offensive Highlights:

New York was silent until the eighth inning when they mounted a comeback against the Miami bullpen. It started harmless as Andres Torres flew out, but then Jordany Valdespin doubled to get the rally started. Daniel Murphy singled sharply to center, putting runners on first and third for David Wright, who singled in the first run of the ballgame. Ike Davis drew a walk, then with Scott Hairston up, Heath Bellthrew a wild pitch, allowing the Mets to pull within one run. Hairston legged out an infield hit to tie up the score. The offensive star of the game for New York was Hairston, who went 4-for-5, while he was the only Met to register a multi-hit game. They went 4-for-10 with runners in scoring position, but also stranded 10 men on base.

Oct. 2, 2012; Miami, FL, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher R.A. Dickey (43) throws during the second inning against the Miami Marlins at Marlins Park. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-US PRESSWIRE

Marlins Offensive Highlights:

Unlike their eight other cracks at R.A. Dickey over the last two seasons, the Marlins were able to put some runs up on the board against the knuckler and get a lead, but they couldn’t give him a loss as they failed to hold onto their late lead. Miami built a fence through the middle innings, as it started in the fourth inning with a home run off the bat of Gorkys Hernandez. Rob Brantly did his best to imitate his teammate, hitting his third homer of the season in the fifth inning. In the sixth, Jose Reyes and Giancarlo Stanton both singled in front of Carlos Lee, who singled home Reyes for their third run of the ball game. In the bottom of the 11th, Reyes tripled to lead things off and immediately put Collin McHugh in a jam. He intentionally walked Stanton and Lee, but Donovan Solano singled home the game-winning run. Reyes and Stanton led the way for Miami, as they combined for 5 hits.

Pitching Highlights:

R.A. Dickey was hoping to get his 21st win of the season to end what has been a career year on a high note, but it’s hard to get a win when you don’t get any run support. The righty went 6 innings, allowed 3 runs on 7 hits, no walks, and 8 strikeouts. Manny Acosta threw a scoreless inning of relief in front of Bobby Parnell, who threw two shutout innings to force extras. Elvin Ramirez, Justin Hampson, and John Rauch all combined to throw a scoreless 10th inning, but it was McHugh who earned the loss as he couldn’t keep Miami off the board.

Unlike his last start against the Mets, Jacob Turner turned in one of his best starts of the season, going 7.2 innings pitched, allowing 1 run, 3 hits, and 2 walks, while striking out 4. Mike Dunn and Heath Bell couldn’t record the final out in the eighth as New York tied the ballgame up, and Ozzie Guillen had to call on A.J. Ramos to close out the frame. Steve Cishek kept the game tied with a scoreless ninth. Ryan Webb gave up 2 hits and a walk in his inning of work, but held the Mets scoreless for Chad Gaudin, who was originally supposed to start the last game of the season tonight. However, he got the win last night, throwing an inning and not allowing a run.

The Mets now fall to 73-88 on the season with just one game to play.

Probable Pitchers Wednesday:

It’s that awful time; Wednesday is the last game of the season for the Mets. Jeremy Hefner (3-7, 5.32 ERA) will get the honors to take the mound in the final contest of 2012, opposing Tom Koehler (0-0, 5.40 ERA), who will be making his first MLB start, after making 7 relief appearances since being called up. Game time is set for 4:1opm at Marlins Park.