(Sports Network) - The New York Mets hope to continue their tremendous play against the American League this evening when they go for a sweep in the finale of their three-game set with the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park.
The Mets improved to an National League-best 11-3 during interleague play on Wednesday behind yet another terrific performance from knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who baffled the Tigers over eight scoreless innings in New York's 5-0 win.
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.
"I felt like if I put in the hard work and committed to the journey of what it takes to do what I do, that eventually it was going to yield some fruit," Dickey said. "I'm excited that it's yielded this ripe of fruit, but it doesn't feel like a dream. I feel like I'm coming to work and putting in the time and doing what I need to do to be successful."
Jose Reyes went 3-for-4 and finished a double shy of the cycle for New York, which has 14 of its past 17 games overall. Another win tonight would match the Mets most wins in interleague play since winning a franchise-best 12 in 1999.
Reyes now has 27 hits in his last 14 games - including five home runs. He's also stolen four bases, while the Mets have gone 11-3 over that period.
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.
Getting the call for the Mets will be lefty Hisanori Takahashi, who has been brilliant since moving into the rotation. Takahashi beat the Yankees on Friday, scattering four hits over six scoreless innings to improve to 6-2 on the year to go along with a 3.13 ERA.
In his six starts, though, the Japanese hurler has gone 3-1 with a 3.15 ERA, surrendering one run or less in four of those outings.
Detroit will counter with righty Armando Galarraga, who is winless in three starts from his near perfect game back on June 2 against Cleveland. Galarraga was hit hard by the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, as he allowed four runs and seven hits in 4 1/3 innings.
"It's funny," said Galarraga, who is 2-1 with a 3.32 ERA on the season, "because the last game I didn't throw really good, and I just hear about the perfect game. The perfect game has already passed. I don't want to hear about the perfect game when I throw four innings and give up four runs, know what I mean?
"Perfect game? What does that have to do with this? I just threw a horrible game!"
Both starters will be facing their opponents for the first time tonight.
Detroit took two of three from the Mets the last time these teams met back in 2007 at Comerica Park.