It wasn't exactly how you'd draw it up in the playbook, but it got the job done.
The Mets finally their first walk-off at Citi Field all season, a bases loaded hit batsman that drove in the winning run.
Justin Turner was plunked by the first pitch he saw from submariner Brad Ziegler, who was trying to come inside with a breaking ball that didn't break back over the plate.
Ziegler had pitched around Jose Reyes to load the bases with two outs, but the HBP drove in Lucas Duda with the winning run to send the Mets home happy with a 3-2 victory.
R.A. Dickey was brilliant in a big bounce back start, striking out 9 over 8 innings of 3 hit ball, but Frankie Rodriguez could not convert the save opportunity and Dickey got a no-decision.
The Mets had plenty of chances to win the game, leaving 15 runners on base, before eventually winning it in unusual fashion in the 13th inning.
It was only the second time in Mets history that the Mets won a game on a walk-off hit by pitch, with the first time coming in 1992, when Daryl Boston was hit by a pitch from Juan Agosto of the Cardinals.
What I Liked:
Dickey was just what the doctor ordered Wednesday, as he rebounded from a tough start his last time out to throw 8 solid innings, allowing just a run on three hits, one walk and 9 strikeouts.
A solo home run by Kurt Suzuki was his only blemish, as he changed speeds on his knuckleball effectively, mixed in his fastball, and threw 66 of his 100 pitches for strikes.
Jose Reyes has struggled on this homestand but was clutch when the Mets needed him, going 2 for 6 with a walk and his MLB-best 13th triple. His 8th inning triple set up the Mets second run, and gave Dickey a chance to win it at the time.
Justin Turner was the hero, going 1 for 6 with a stolen base and the game-winning HBP. His hit scored Reyes in the 8th, and he took a ball off his left thigh in the 13th for the win.
Scott Hairston started in center field and went 1 for 3 with a double and the first Mets run.
Ronny Paulino had three hits, going 3 for 5 with a sac bunt on 14 total pitches. He really likes to swing the bat.
Lucas Duda had a big game. He drove in the first Mets run with a 2nd inning RBI single, going 2 for 5 with a walk and a run scored as well.
Daniel Murphy pinch-hit in the 11th and stayed in the game the rest of the way, going 1 for 2 off the bench.
Willie Harris had a pinch-hit single leading off the bottom of the 9th, but was stranded on base.
Josh Thole had a pinch-hit walk in the 12th inning.
Jason Isringhausen pitched a scoreless inning in the 10th, allowing one hit and striking out one.
Pedro Beato was stellar in 1.2 IP, allowing just one hit and striking out three, throwing 16 of his 20 pitches for strikes.
Bobby Parnell got the win after a perfect 13th inning, striking out one and throwing 8 of his 11 pitches for strikes.
The Mets pitching staff struck out 16 batters in 13 innings.
What I Didn't Like:
The Mets struck out 13 times as a team.
Francisco Rodriguez blew the save for the second time in as many chances, both times in starts by R.A. Dickey. He struck out two in the 9th but allowed a double, a stolen base, and a two-out, two-strike single that tied the game at 2.
The only other pitcher that really struggled was Tim Byrdak. He had been pitching very well this month, but was shaky over 0.1 IP tonight. He couldn't find the plate, throwing just 4 of his 12 pitches for strikes, walking one and allowing a hit before Beato bailed him out.
Carlos Beltran went 0 for 4 with two walks and two strikeouts, but he did steal his 3rd base of the season.
Jason Bay, promoted to the cleanup spot after a big game yesterday, went 0 for 5 with three strikeouts.
Jason Pridie was double-switched into the game and went 0 for 2 with a strikeout.
Ruben Tejada went 0 for 3 with a walk and two strikeouts before being lifted for a pinch-hitter.
Angel Pagan pinch-hit in the 8th inning and stayed in the game, going 0 for 4 with a strikeout.
The Mets combined to go 3 for 11 with runners in scoring position and left 15 men on base.
Justin Turner made a throwing error, as did Ronny Paulino. Turner on a ground ball to third base, Paulino on a stolen base attempt.
Game Ball:
Goes to R.A. Dickey for his tremendous outing. It's unfortunate he couldn't get a well-deserved W thanks to K-Rod, but the Mets were able to finally pull through and win it anyway.
Mets Haiku:
Dickey pitches great
Justin Turner sends them home
With a wild win
Up Next:
The Mets and Athletics will try to wrap-up their three-game series with a rubber game Thursday afternoon, barring the rain that's supposed to hit the city. If the game does get played, Chris Capuano will face off with Graham Godfrey.
Follow me on Twitter @metsjetsnets88 and @TheSheaFaithful
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