Quote: R.A. Dickey Had Two Choices
“I could either do two things: I could either pretend [Cole Hamels] didn’t get the hit and call it a no-hitter to myself or get really mad at Jeff Francoeur for not throwing him out at first. I have both of those choices. But I just take it for what it is.”
R.A. Dickey, speaking with reporters after last night’s win
Naturally, Dickey HAD to give up the no-hitter to a pitcher, and of course that was the only hit of the game for the Phillies.
More importantly, the Mets won the game, and Francoeur made the correct call in not attempting to throw out Hamels at first, and risk throwing the ball away and Hamels getting into scoring position.
Not only has Dickey been outstanding, and perhaps the biggest surprise on this team this season, but I always enjoy listening to what he has to say either before or after the game.
He seems to have this relaxed intelligence and relaxed approach to pitching, and he goes out there with an objective game plan each time out and has a great ability to make adjustments on the fly, which I think is essential for him because the knuckleball is so unpredictable…but win or lose, he sticks to it, and is ALWAYS accountable for his actions.
According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the last time a pitcher threw a one-hit shutout in a 1-0 victory with the only hit coming off a pitcher was May 23, 1960 when Dodger LHP Sandy Koufax allowed only a second inning single to Pirates pitcher Bennie Daniels.
In addition, the Mets became just the third team since 1920 to have three 1-0 wins over a five-game span.
