R.A. Dickey pitched a good outing, but left in the fifth inning with a glute injury and the Mets offense rallied late against the Yankees to prevent the series sweep, 3-2.

Game Notes

R.A. Dickey pitched a quality five innings, but was removed for a pinch hitter in the top of the sixth after he walked off the field gingerly after pulling his left glute muscle. R.A’s final line is five innings, one run allowed on two hits, with two walks and three strikeouts. Dickey had great control today, and had a no-hitter until the fifth when he gave up the double to Robinson Cano. Dickey has just been continually unlucky this year.

The bullpen got a heavy load today, with Pedro Beato, Jason Isringhausen and K-Rod coming out today. Beato had another great outing, going two innings allowing one hit and striking out one. Beato has looked much better recently, challenging hitters to beat him. Izzy came out today, and wasn’t particularly sharp, allowing two hits and one run in one inning. The pitch that Gardner hit for a triple was a good pitch, but it needed to be in a little more. Izzy has been uneven recently in his outings, and if this is fatigue-related or just people getting hip to his style. K.Rod had his longest outing of the season and earned a win, going two innings allowing three hits and walking one (intentionally)

The bullpen has had bouts where it is good, and some where the performance is lackluster. K.Rod is still being hit pretty hard, and that isn’t a good sign.

The offense today was slowed yet again, scoring a run in the first on an RBI single by Daniel Murphy. The Mets had chances to score, but a few rallies were killed by double plays. The Mets decided the dramatics were the way to win a game, waiting until the ninth inning off arguably the best closer of all time. Jason Bay drew a walk, advanced to third on a Lucas Duda single and scored on a Ronny Paulino RBI single. The game was almost won in the ninth, when Ruben Tejada hit a ball through Ramiro Pena’s legs and Lucas Duda tried to score from second. Duda had no business running at that point, but I guess you play aggressively and he poorly read the play.

The big blow came in the tenth inning, when former Met Luis Ayala walked Scott Hairston who moved to second after an Angel Pagan sacrifice. Justin Turner would be hit by a pitch, and Daniel Murphy reached base after Ramiro Pena made his second error in as many innings. Everyone’s favorite Met, Jason Bay decided to put the game in the books and hit a walkoff RBI-single.

The offense today seemed to struggle against Freddy Garcia, which has been a common theme with “junkballer” pitchers.

Pagan & Turner – 0 for 7 with a walk and a strikeout. Turner had an ugly error that could’ve been much worse and been an inning-ending double play.

Daniel Murphy – 3 for 5 with an RBI. Murphy has been in a good groove, hitting .303 for the year. Is this what Daniel Murphy can be? A .290-.300 hitter with some pop and versatility? Lets hope so.

Willie Harris – Came back after the unfortunate event that occurred to him and his wife. Drew a walk in the rally that could’ve happened in the eighth.

Turning Point

Mariano Rivera apparently forgetting how to close games in the ninth/Paulino’s RBI single.

Game Ball

The game ball today goes to…Jason Bay. If the power doesn’t come around, but he can hit when it matters, that is good enough.

On Deck

The Mets will travel to the west coast to face off against the Dodgers and Rubby De La Rosa. Chris Capuano will be taking the mound for the Mets and the game will start at 9:10 P.M.

Happy Fourth of July to all MMO readers.

For thoughts on the Mets, during, before and after games follow me on Twitter @TheSeanKenny