Mets Game 147: Loss to Phillies

Phillies 3 Mets 1

The Mets seem hell-bent on preventing a 20-win season by R.A. Dickey.

Mets Game Notes

Was this the best game thrown by R.A. this season? Not by a longshot. However, it was a well-pitched game by the knuckleballer, as he allowed 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits and 2 walks, striking out 8 in 7 innings and 112 pitches of work. For most clubs, that’s good enough to win, and by the accepted standard, a “quality start.” For the New York Mets, though, that kind of performance is “pitching well enough to lose.” Perhaps the term “quality start” should be re-calibrated for Mets pitchers to be eight innings and one run allowed. I’m not sure — I just keep seeing flashbacks to 1977, when Jerry Koosman lost 20 games despite a 3.49 ERA and 1.21 WHIP (that’s what happens when your offense averages only 3.62 runs per game).

The Mets did collect seven hits, but they were scattered and only one came at the right time. They left seven men on base and were 1-for-7 with RISP. Phillies starter Cliff Lee — remember when he was struggling mightily? — struck out ten and walked one in eight innings of work. Though, “work” may be a misnomer, as he seemed to breeze through those frames effortlessly.

Next Mets Game

The Mets and Phillies do it again at 7:10 p.m. on Tuesday night. Matt Harvey faces Tyler Cloyd. The Mets beat Cloyd in his first MLB start back on August 29th, and he’s been battered in each of his last two starts. Of course, that’s no guarantee the Mets hitters will have a good day against him, but the odds are on their side. If I’m Matt Harvey, I’m taking extra BP and asking Terry Collins if I can hit a little higher in the lineup.