Flushing, NY (Sports Network) – R.A. Dickey tossed eight scoreless innings en route to improving his career-high winning streak to six games, as the red-hot New York Mets handled the Detroit Tigers, 5-0, in the second test of a three- game set at Citi Field.
Dickey (6-0) gave up just four hits to become the first Mets starter to win his first six decisions with the team. The 35-year-old knuckleballer also fanned four batters and walked two.
Jose Reyes went 3-for-4 and finished a double shy of the cycle for New York, which has won two in a row and 14 of its past 17 games. Ike Davis knocked in two runs.
Jeremy Bonderman (3-5) went six-plus innings, allowing four runs on seven hits to take the loss. The right-hander fell to 1-3 in the month of June for the Tigers, who have lost three of four since a seven-game winning streak.
The Tigers loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the first on a pair of walks and an single. Dickey, though, got out of the jam by retiring Carlos Guillen on a grounder to second.
New York also had a chance to score in the bottom half of the frame. Reyes was left stranded after starting the inning with a triple.
After Detroit left a runner on third in the top of the third, the Mets plated the first run of the game in the bottom half. Reyes hit a two-out single, stole second, and crossed the plate on David Wright’s double down the left- field line.
Reyes made it a 2-0 contest with a solo homer to right in the fifth.
New York added three runs in the seventh to build a 5-0 margin. With the bases loaded and nobody out, Reyes stepped to the plate needing a double to complete the cycle. However, he hit a grounder to second baseman Guillen, who threw home for the force out. Pinch-hitter Jesus Feliciano plated a run with a groundout. Davis added a two-run single two batters later.
Francisco Rodriguez tossed a scoreless ninth to seal the win for the Mets.
Detroit took two of three from the Mets the last time these teams met back in 2007 at Comerica Park…New York improved to 26-10 at home this season…Mets outfielder Angel Pagan saw his 10-game hitting streak come to an end…New York signed pitcher Ramon Ortiz to a minor league contract on Wednesday…The Tigers signed pitchers Steven Crnkovich, Tim Mowry and Tyler White, catcher Rob Brantly and first baseman Clay Jones…Bonderman fell to 1-2 lifetime against the Mets…Dickey, who was recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on May 19, has a 2.33 ERA.