The New York Mets shut out the Philadelphia Phillies once again at Citi Field, 1-0 Friday night.
The Mets blanked the high-scoring Phillies for the fourth straight time at home. New York outscored their NL East rivals 16-0 during a three-game sweep in late May, a string started by R.A. Dickey.
David Wright and Carlos Beltran hit consecutive doubles with two outs in the sixth for the lone run. Despite having Mike Hessman lose a home run on a video replay reversal, the Mets posted their first two-game winning streak since June 22-23.
Hit hard by the Phillies in his last start, Dickey (8-5) baffled them all evening this time, striking out seven and walking one in his second career shutout -- his other came in 2003 with Texas. This was the Mets’ major league-leading 18th shutout this year, matching their most since 1976.
The win provided some much-needed relief for the Mets. The last couple of days have been dominated by news of closer Francisco Rodriguez’s arrest on a charge of third-degree assault against his girlfriend’s father -- suspended for two days, the reliever is set to rejoin the team Saturday.
The Mets and San Diego are the only teams in the majors that have never pitched a no-hitter, and Dickey’s bid ended with one out in the sixth.
Hamels, a career .146 hitter coming into the game, lined a solid single that strong-armed right fielder Jeff Francoeur handled at medium depth, and he looked at first base before deciding not to try a heave.
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That was the last runner Dickey allowed. He raised both arms over his head as Placido Polanco hit a fly ball that Francoeur easily caught for the final out.
Hamels (7-9) has not won in six starts despite pitching well. He gave up five hits in seven innings, and again was the victim of poor run support.
The Mets swiftly struck with two outs in the sixth. Wright hit a liner that sailed over center fielder Shane Victorino for a double and Beltran followed with a double beyond the leap of left fielder Raul Ibanez. Wright casually strolled home, not that he needed to sprint to score.
Hessman, whose 329 career minor league home runs are the most among active players, looked as if he might have his 15th lifetime major league homer after launching a drive to left in the fifth. As he circled the bases, Ibanez complained that a fan reached over a railing above the wall and interfered.
Three umpires went to watch a replay while Hamels threw some warmups. The trio of umps returned and huddled again on the field before pointing Hessman to third base with his first big league triple. In all, Hamels went more than 10 minutes between pitches.
Hamels needed a moment, too, after being hit by Wright’s line drive in the fourth.
