R.A. Dickey's No-Hitter Appeal Denied, According To Reports

Major League Baseball denied the New York Mets' appeal to make R.A. Dickey's one-hitter a no-hitter on Friday, according to multiple reports.

The Official Scorer's ruling was upheld in R.A. Dickey's one-hitter, according to a source; a base hit for B.J. Upton, no error for Wright.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 15, 2012

Dickey threw a 12-strikeout, complete-game one-hitter in a 9-1 defeat of the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night. The Mets appealed on the grounds that B.J. Upton's first-inning single off Dickey should have been ruled an error on New York third baseman David Wright.

Via Newsday, Dickey said that earning a no-hitter retroactively would have been "a little bit cheap."

"It would be weird," Dickey said Thursday morning. "I don't know if it would be quite as satisfying. I think the asterisk beside the no-hitter would get more attention than the no-hitter, you know?

"Plus, you're not pitching the eighth, ninth inning with the pressure of a no-hitter going. It would be a little bit cheap. But, for the integrity of the game, I think it's worthy of a review, just to make sure."

For more on the Mets, please be sure to check out our blog Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Mets Vs. Rays Final Score: Kirk Nieuwenhuis Blasts Two Homers In New York's 9-6 Win

The New York Mets defeated the Tampa Bay Rays, 9-6, in Game 3 on Thursday of the teams' series at Tropicana Field.

The Mets did not wait long to take a lead when Kirk Nieuwenhuis hit a solo home run in the first inning. New York doubled its lead with a Jason Bay solo shot in the second, but the Rays would take the lead in the bottom of the second on a Matt Joyce two-RBI double and Elliot Johnson's RBI single. Lucas Duda tied the game at three with a sacrifice fly in the third inning. An Ike Davis RBI single in the third inning helped the Mets reclaim the lead. Ben Zobrist drove in a run with a single in the bottom of the third inning to knot the game up again. The Mets would put the game away in the fifth with a four-run outburst. Nieuwenhuis hit a two-run homer and Duda had a two-RBI double. Davis added another insurance run in the ninth inning with an RBI single. The Rays got that run back in the bottom of the ninth on a Desmond Jennings RBI single. Tampa Bay also got one more run on a fielder's choice.

Johan Santana got the start for New York and went five innings in the win, giving up six hits, four runs (all earned) and four walks while striking out six batters. Jeremy Hellickson started for the Rays but was chased after just 3 2/3 innings. He gave up eight earned runs on nine hits and a walk. After Santana left in the sixth inning, the Mets got one scoreless of inning of relief apiece from Jon Rauch, Bobby Parnell and Tim Byrdak. Miguel Batista got one out and gave up two earned runs in the ninth. Frank Francisco came on after Batista and got the final two outs via strikeouts and walked one. Francisco picked up his 16th save in the process.

The Mets (35-29) will begin their next series against the Cincinnati Reds (35-27) on Friday at Citi Field.

For more on the Mets, please be sure to check out our blog Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

R.A. Dickey On No-Hitter Appeal: 'It Would Be A Little Cheap' To Be Awarded No-Hitter Retroactively

New York Mets knuckeball pitcher R.A. Dickey said Thursday that being awarded a no-hitter after an appeal would be "a little bit cheap."

Dickey completed a one-hitter during a 9-1 victory against the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night, but the Mets appealed afterward that a first-inning hit by B.J. Upton should have been ruled an error on third baseman David Wright.

Via Newsday, Dickey would consider his own accomplishment a bit tarnished if he is awarded a no-hitter through the appeal:

"It would be weird," Dickey said Thursday morning. "I don't know if it would be quite as satisfying. I think the asterisk beside the no-hitter would get more attention than the no-hitter, you know?

"Plus, you're not pitching the eighth, ninth inning with the pressure of a no-hitter going. It would be a little bit cheap. But, for the integrity of the game, I think it's worthy of a review, just to make sure."

If the appeal is won, the Mets will have their second no-hitter this season after going without one for the first 50 seasons of franchise history.

For more on the Mets, please be sure to check out our blog Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Mets (34-29) At Rays (35-27) Preview: Game Time, TV, Probable Pitchers

Credit the New York Mets for quieting the doubters. After a spurt in which they lost six of their last seven games against quality opponents, the Mets saw their season-best 31-24 slip to three games above .500. But now, they've reeled off two straight wins against the Tampa Bay Rays, in no-doubt fashion, combining for 20 runs and giving up only three.

In their losing spell, the Mets weren't getting enough production from their lineup, the defense was so bad it was losing games and the bullpen was getting roughed up every night. Then Chris Young gave up two earned in his return, R.A. Dickey tossed a complete-game, 12-strikeout masterpiece and the offense erupted and again the Mets are turning some heads. The question becomes: Can Johan Santana possibly top the knuckleballer's performance at Tropicana on Thursday afternoon (1:10 p.m., SNY)?

Probably not, but rotation-mates are often very competitive and you know the lefty, who's already thrown the franchise's first no-hitter, doesn't want to disappoint when the Amazins take on Jeremy Hellickson looking for their fourth sweep.

The focus in this game is going to be on the Mets' ace. After receiving two days after he threw the no-hitter on 134 pitches, Santana was blasted in his worst start of the season, giving up six earned runs (four home runs) on seven hits in five innings against the New York Yankees. The Amazins hope the extra rest threw off his preparation, and that he returns to being one of the great stories of the early start of the season.

Similarly, Hellickson is coming off of his shakiest outing as well. The young righthander who typically demonstrates great control lasted only 4 1/3 innings, walking seven giving up five hits and one earned run.

Every starter in Wednesday's game recorded a hit, most notably Ike Davis, who had two. Davis also walked and seems to be seeing the baseball much better lately, notching two hits in two straight games, and recording eight of his 22 walks in his last seven games. His continued emergence will be a key to the Mets' success, or lack thereof.

New York Mets Plan To Appeal R.A. Dickey 1-Hitter

The New York Mets may have their second no-hitter of the season, depending on what Major League Baseball has to say about the matter. R.A. Dickey allowed just one hit in a 9-1 complete game win over the Tampa Bay Rays on Wednesday night, but that hit may have really been an error. The Mets plan to appeal the official scorer's decision to credit B.J. Upton with an infield single, according to a report from ESPN.

Third baseman David Wright tried to barehand Upton's hit but failed, resulting in what many viewed as an error on Wright. Manager Terry Collins said after the game that the team would appeal the decision, something he and Dickey acknowledged could be futile.

"We're probably not going to win it," Collins said. "David tried to make it. It's B.J. running. But what the heck? What have you got to lose except to have somebody say no? You've got an All-Star third baseman who comes in and tries to make a play."

If the Mets' appeal is successful, it would be the second no-hitter in the history of the franchise, coming nearly two weeks after Johan Santana's on June 1. Of course, that outing was given an asterisk by the St. Louis Cardinals, the victims of Santana's no-no. Some felt that Santana got the benefit of a call on a hit that landed fair but was called a foul.

-- For more on the Mets, please be sure to check out our blog Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Mets Vs. Rays Final Score: R.A. Dickey Pitches His Way Into Team History With 7-1 Win

New York Mets starter R.A. Dickey is the latest in a string of pitchers this season to enter the team's record book. Dickey pitched a one-hit gem Wednesday night, artfully extending his scoreless streak to 32 2/3 scoreless innings, a new team record. The knuckleballer and an offensive explosion powered the Mets to a 9-1 win over the Tampa Bay Rays.

Amazingly enough, Dickey's outing could have been better with just a little more support from the field. He gave up the only hit of the game in the first inning, an infield single by B.J. Upton that could have been an error on David Wright. The third baseman flubbed a bare-hand attempt with the speedy Upton running to first. Dickey went on to retire 22 hitters in a row before a ninth-inning throwing error by Wright allowed Elliot Johnson to reach first base. Two passed balls and a groundout ended the scoreless streak and gave the Rays a run.

Dickey struck out 12 batters, a career-best. He now has allowed just one earned run in his last five starts. Wednesday's game was his 10th win of the season, making him the first pitcher with double-digit wins.

Daniel Murphy, Wright and Omar Quintanilla each drove in a pair of runs, while Andres Torres had three hits.

The Mets can close out their series against the Rays with a sweep on Thursday afternoon. Johan Santana is on the mound, just two starts removed from his no-hitter.

-- For more on the Mets, please be sure to check out our blog Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Mets (33-29) At Rays (35-26) Preview: Game Time, TV, Probable Pitchers

After hammering the Tampa Bay Rays 11-2 on Tuesday night, the New York Mets will try to ensure themselves the series win on Wednesday evening.

R.A. Dickey will be on the mound to face David Price, pitting two of baseball's best pitchers against each other at Tropicana Field.

Dickey has been absolutely incredible so far this season. He's posted a 9-1 record and a 2.44 ERA and at this point has to be considered at least one of the favorites to start in the All-Star Game.

In his last outing, Dickey didn't allow a run against the Washington Nationals in 7 1/3 innings en route to a victory. That game extended Dickey's current scoreless innings streak to 24 2/3.

Price on the other hand has been brilliant for the Rays. Price is 8-3 with a 2.40 ERA and is living up to the hype that surrounded him when Tampa Bay made him the first overall pick just a few years ago.

In his last appearance, Price didn't allow a run against the New York Yankees over five innings.

TV: SNY

Time: 7:10 p.m. ET

-- For more on the Mets, please be sure to check out our blog Amazin' Avenue and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.

Mets Vs. Rays Final Score: New York Wins, 11-2, In Series Opener Tuesday

The New York Mets downed the Tampa Bay Rays, 11-2, Tuesday night Tropicana Field in the opening game of a three-game series. Chris Young (1-0) pitched 5 2/3 innings, giving up nine hits and two walks with four strikeouts. He only gave up two runs, both earned, for his first win of the season. The Rays went 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position.

The Mets shook Rays starter Alex Cobb (2-3) for six runs, five earned, in 6 2/3 innings. Cobb gave up seven hits and three walks while striking out six.

Through six innings, the Mets held a 3-2 lead. Jordany Valdespin touched home on a throwing error in the first, and scored Omar Quintanilla and Kirk Nieuwenhuis on a single in the fifth.

The Mets then exploded for six runs in the seventh inning. With just one out to go until the eighth and no men on, Cobb walked Kirk Nieuwenhuis to set up an RBI single by Valdespin. The Mets then loaded the bases off a David Wright intentional walk and a Lucas Duda single off Rays reliever J.P. Howell. In the next two at-bats, Daniel Murphy hit a two-run single and Ike Davis hit a three-run home run to give the Mets a commanding 9-3 lead.

The Mets capped their scoring with two runs in the eighth inning. Valdespin grounded out to score Quintanilla and Duda hit his second single on the night to score Nieuwenhuis for a third time. Nieuwenhuis led the way at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a walk. Valdespin led the Mets with four RBIs.

Game 2 of the series is set for Wednesday at 7:10 p.m. ET. R.A. Dickey (9-1, 2.44 ERA) will take on the Rays' David Price (8-3, 2.40) in what should be an entertaining pitcher's duel.

For more on the Mets, head on down to Amazin' Avenue and stay tuned to SB Nation New York.

Mets (33-29) At Rays (35-25) Preview: Game Time, TV, Probable Pitchers