The Mets (68-83) defeated the Marlins (66-86) by the score of 4-3 on Saturday afternoon at Citi Field.

It would not be the Mets if they did not make everything dramatic, right? Dickey was able to pitch masterfully through most of the game and nearly pitched a shutout.

Dickey was excellent through eight innings, not allowing a single run and dancing out of any danger he put himself in. However, starting the ninth, he allowed a walk and a double and he was promptly pulled by Terry Collins after 110 pitches. Those two inherited runners scored under Jon Rauch, which left Dickey’s final line at six hits, two walks and two earned runs allowed. He picked up four strikeouts, which gave him the NL lead in K’s at 209 – while his ERA actually dropped .01 to 2.66. After Rauch came in and instantly allowed a three-run HR, he managed to pick up two more strikeouts to finish out the game to pick up a shaky save number 4.

The offense definitely did enough for Dickey today – and guess who sparked it? Jason Bay. A two-run HR off Mark Buerhle put the Mets ahead 2-0 early, while Scott Hairston added his 19th HR for insurance to make it 3-0. Some bad fielding in the fifth culminated in an RBI for Daniel Murphy, which left the Mets at 4-0 – lucky for that, huh?

The energy was really electric at the ballpark today, which is saying something. There was a great moment in the sixth, where RA Dickey drilled a shot into deep left that nearly left the yard for a grand slam – but he was robbed on a spectacular defensive play. This was dubbed the NEW Mazda Play Of The Game, after Tejada had achieved the honor earlier…it was a fun moment on air.

Duda made an error early in the game, but it turned out all okay for the Metsies.

Notes

19 Wins For RA Dickey! Do you know there is a chance that he could actually finish with the lead in strikeouts, wins, and ERA…?

The 19 wins are the most by a Mets pitcher since 1990, when Frank Viola won 20 and Dwight Gooden finished with 19. In addition, Dickey won his 12th day game this season, tying Johnny Cueto for the most in the Major Leagues.

Rauch picks up a shaky save because Francisco was not available. Blessing in disguise, guys.

The Mets scored the four runs while being 0  6 with RISP….bad habit.

Thole was the only one with multiple hits, one of them being a double.

RA DIckey’s pitching schedule was changed at his request so he pitched today and will get to pitch again on Thursday at home. He dominated the Marlins to win for the fifth straight time against them, and previously to the fiasco in the ninth, he had held the Marlins scoreless for 22 straight innings.

Wright went hitless, so his pursuit of the Mets Hit Record stands still.

Up Next

Consistent Chris Young takes on the Marlins’ Ricky Nolasco at 1:10 tomorrow – his last win was against the Marlins on September 2nd.