Flushing, NY (Sports Network) - R.A. Dickey threw seven shutout innings while Lucas Duda went 3-for-4 and scored the decisive run, guiding the Mets to a 2-1 victory over the Marlins in the opener of a Monday doubleheader.
Dickey (6-11) allowed seven hits and a walk while striking out six to pick up his first win since July 25. He hadn't allowed any more than three earned runs in five outings since then, but didn't pick up a victory.
Justin Turner singled in a run for the Mets, who have won three in a row. Anibal Sanchez (7-7) gave up two runs in six innings to take the loss, Florida's eighth in its last 10 games. The Mets picked up two early runs to give Dickey a lead. In the second inning, Nick Evans led off with a single and moved up a base on Josh Thole's walk before Turner's ground single through the left side brought him home. An inning later, a Duda single, Jason Bay walk and Evans hit loaded the bases. Thole grounded into a fielder's choice to make it a 2-0 game, but Sanchez got out of the inning without further damage. However, the Marlins didn't have many good offensive opportunities against Dickey. They put runners in scoring position in the sixth, when Logan Morrison doubled and Mike Stanton singled. However, Dickey retired Greg Dobbs on a liner and ended the threat with a Gaby Sanchez fly out. Dickey picked off Mike Cameron at second base to escape a jam in the seventh, and the Mets bullpen managed to hold on to the lead. After Jason Isringhausen struck out the side in the eighth, Bobby Parnell allowed a one-out solo homer to Gaby Sanchez in the ninth. But Parnell retired the next two batters to secure the win and record his second save. Game Notes The Mets were 2-for-11 with runners in scoring position...Sanchez allowed seven hits and walked four during his start...Mets shortstop Jose Reyes was activated from the 15-day disabled list for Monday's second game. He had been out since suffering a strained left hamstring in an August 7 game against the Braves. The Mets optioned outfielder Mike Baxter to Triple-A Buffalo to open a roster spot...The Marlins had won their first four games at Citi Field this season.