R.A. Dickey was sensational on Saturday, as the New York Mets defeated the Miami Marlins, 4-3. Dickey notched his 19th win, tying Gio Gonzalez for the major-league lead (Gonzalez picked up win No. 20 later on Saturday). Dickey now leads the National League in strikeouts (209) and ERA (2.66).
The knuckleballer worked quickly and efficiently through eight innings before having trouble in the ninth. After Dickey allowed two base-runners, the Mets pulled him in favor of Jon Rauch, who proceeded to allow a three-run homer. Although Dickey was charged with two of those runs, Rauch eventually managed to end the game and earn his fourth save of the year.
The Mets got their first two runs on a Jason Bay home run in the second inning. Bay raised his average to .155 and his RBI total to 20.
They added an additional run in the fourth on a Scott Hairston solo homer, and another in the fifth when Daniel Murphy hit into a fielder's choice.
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