Last-Place Mets Turn To R.A. Dickey Against Astros
NEW YORK (WFAN/AP) -- Unfortunately for Mets fans, a series against the punchless Amazin's may be what the Astros need to start their first winning streak of the season.
Houston looks to win consecutive games for the first time in 2011 when it continues its series at Citi Field on Wednesday night.
The Astros (6-11) have alternated wins and losses since a 1-7 start, continuing that pattern with a 6-1 victory over the Mets on Tuesday after an 8-6 loss to San Diego on Sunday.
In a meeting between the teams with the two worst records in the NL, Wandy Rodriguez limited the Mets to three hits and struck out seven in seven innings. Michael Bourn and Carlos Lee each had two hits while Angel Sanchez drove in two runs. Ten of Houston's 11 hits were singles.
"We got some key hits. A good game all-around," said Lee, batting .348 with four RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.
Lee, whose .348 average versus New York is his highest against any opponent, is 7 for 14 with three doubles and a home run against R.A. Dickey, the Mets' scheduled starter Wednesday.
Dickey (1-2, 3.93 ERA) returns to a starting role after he pitched one scoreless inning in relief in New York's 3-2 win at Atlanta on Sunday.
In his previous start against Colorado on Thursday, the knuckleballer allowed five runs and eight hits in 6 1-3 innings of a 6-5 loss.
Dickey pitched well in two starts against the Astros last year, going 1-0 with a 1.76 ERA. He also made two relief appearances against them the previous season.
However, he may not be able to count on much support from his offense. New York (5-12) has lost eight of nine, scoring 28 runs.
After snapping a seven-game losing streak Sunday, the Mets had four hits and two errors Tuesday as the top three in the batting order - Jose Reyes, Josh Thole and David Wright - went 0 for 11 with two strikeouts.
"We've got to stop it. I'm very concerned about it," said Mets manager Terry Collins, whose team has allowed 40 runs during a six-game losing streak at Citi Field. The home skid is the team's longest since an eight-game slide Sept. 14-28, 2007.
Looking for an offensive spark, New York called up Justin Turner from Triple-A Buffalo before the game after he hit .300 (12 for 40) with three doubles, two triples and two RBIs for the Bisons. Turner started at second Tuesday and went 1 for 4.
After struggling against Rodriguez, who came in 0-2 with a 7.31 ERA, the Mets hope for better success against Bud Norris (1-1, 5.06).
However, Norris is coming off his best start of the season. He allowed two hits while striking out seven in six innings of a 1-0 win over San Diego on Thursday.
"It was nice to see Bud battle through and get a win there," manager Brad Mills told the Astros' official website.
Norris is 1-1 with a 4.97 ERA in two starts against the Mets.
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