Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey(9-5,2.57) pitched into the 8th inning while going 2 for 3 with 2 rbi as the New York Mets defeated the Houston Astros 5-1 Sunday afternoon at Citi Field. The Mets took advantage of Houston starter Bud Norris(6-8,5.17) early wildness(3 walks first 2 innings) to score 4 runs in the 2nd, 2B Luis Castillo, RF Angel Pagan and Dickey(2) all collected rbi in the frame. Dickey allowed 6 hits and a run with 2 strikeouts and walks before tiring in the 8th. RH Bobby Parnell(5 holds, 2.86) entered in the 8th and turned a rally killing double play. New closer LH Hisanori Takahashi(3 saves, 3.99) tossed a clean 9th to secure the win, the Mets are an even .500 (65-65) on the season.
METS STARTING LINE-UP: Pagan, Castillo, CF Carlos Beltran, LF Chris Carter, Wright, Davis, Thole, SS Luis Hernandez, Pitcher
GAME NOTES: NY improved to 6-13 in rubber games… SS Jose Reyes took some swings in the indoor cage and still feels pain in his oblique. He plans to not do anything Monday…. Pagan, Thole and Dickey had two hits apiece… Dickey’s ERA is the 7th best in the NL … Mets have not lost a home series to Houston since 2002… Pagan stole his team leading 32nd base…. Thole hit the 2nd home run of his career with a 6th inning soda sign shot of the 2nd deck in right …Team extended their streak of being one game over,.500 or one game under to 26 games, a club record
NEXT GAME:
MONDAY, Start 4 game series vs the 1st place Atlanta Braves at Turner Field
7:10 pm
Braves RH Jair Jurrjens(5-4,4.36) vs. Mets LH Pat Misch(0-3,3.50)
