METS 101

The New York Mets (15-13) defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks (14-15) by a score of 3-1 today at Citi Field to take the rubber game of their three-game series. R.A. Dickey (4-1) was phenomenal on the mound for the Amazins, working eight-plus innings and allowing just one run. Dickey walked four and struck out four as he continued his strong start to 2012. Tyler Cahill (2-3) took the loss. 

After eight scoreless innings, Dickey walked Gerardo Parra to start the ninth and Justin Upton hit an RBI double to end the shutout and the knuckleballer's afternoon. Tim Byrdak came in and got Jason Kubel to fly out, before Frank Francisco was called upon to get the final two outs. The save was Francisco's seventh of the season. 

The Mets took the lead early in the contest, on a bottom-of-the-first two-RBI single by Daniel Murphy, scoring Andres Torres and David Wright. Torres was 1-for-3 on the afternoon, bringing his hit-streak to six games since returning from the disabled list last week. Catcher Josh Thole would pad the lead in the fifth, singling in Ike Davis. That was all the Mets would need as they got yet another great start during this short homestand.

The Mets did receive some bad news after the game, as Ruben Tejada appears to be headed to the disabled list with a strained right quad. He suffered the injury tripping over first base in the fourth inning and left the game. ESPN's Adam Rubin reports that Jordany Valdespin is on his way to Philadelphia after being optioned just yesterday to Buffalo, making it all the more likely that Tejada will miss some time. Tejada is off to an excellent start, filling the huge gap left by Jose Reyes' departure quite admirably. The 22-year old is hitting .305 (fifth on the club) with eight RBI and 14 runs scored. Valdespin has appeared in seven games this year with the Mets, but mostly in a late inning defensive role, having just recorded six official at-bats. He has yet to get his first MLB hit. In 76 at-bats with AAA Buffalo this year, Valdespin is hitting .276 with two home runs. 

The Mets now turn their attention to the Phillies, whom they will begin a three game series with tomorrow in Philadelphia. Jonathan Niese will face Phils' ace Roy Halladay, game time is 7:05. 

 

Tags: Arizona Diamondbacks, Baseball, Citi Field, Daniel Murphy, David Wright, Frank Francisco, Ike Davis, Josh Thole, MLB, New York, New York Mets, R.A. Dickey, Tim Byrdak

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