R.A. Dickey gave up three earned runs on three hits, and Manny Acosta gave up a fourth as the New York Mets lost 4-3 to open their three-game series against the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park on Monday night. Jed Lowrie hit a single to score Jordan Schafer in the eighth inning and give the Mets their 10th loss of the season.
Dickey did not give up a hit until the sixth inning, but promptly gave up three runs when he did. With the game tied 0-0, Travis Buck hit into a fielder's choice to score Schafer. Matt Downs came up to bat next and hit a home run to left field to give Houston a 3-0 lead.
The Mets charged back in the seventh innings, scoring three runs off of Bud Harris on hits by Andre Torres and Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Four of Harris' seven hits again came in the inning, and the starter was pulled for Wilton Lopez for the last out.
Acosta relieved Dickey in the bottom of the seventh, forcing three straight outs, two on strikeouts. He lasted just three batters in the eighth inning, however, after allowing two singles, the second by Lowrie to bring in the Astros' winning run. Tim Byrdak and Bobby Parnell finished out the game on the mound for the Mets, and gave up zero runs. Unfortunately, New York could only get one hit off of Houston's assorted bullpen members.
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