Game #28: Mets 3, D-Backs 1

R.A. Dickey pitches into the ninth inning for the Mets against Arizona Sunday. (NYDailyNews.com)

R.A. Dickey didn't pitch on Star Wars day, but the Force was with him Sunday afternoon at Citi Field.

Dickey pitched into the 9th and got just enough offense behind him to give the Mets the game and the series over the Diamondbacks, 3-1.

The Good Stuff:

• Just another day at the beach for baseball's last knuckleballer: R.A. Dickey went 8+ innings, allowing 1 run on 4 hits, walking 4 and striking out 4 for his 4th W of the year (the Fourth was with him too). Aside from just that one bad start in Atlanta, Dickey has owned the National League in 2012. I think he's got to be in consideration for an All-Star slot.
• The bulk of the Mets' offense came in the 1st inning: Andres Torres drew a leadoff walk, then after Kirk Nieuwenhuis flew out, David Wright hit a single to center; Torres went to third and Wright to second on the throw. After Lucas Duda struck out, Daniel Murphy lined a single over the infield to plate both runners.
• New York added another run in the 4th when Josh Thole singled home Ike Davis.
• After allowing his first run on a Justin Upton double in the 9th, Dickey was relieved by Tim Byrdak, who got his man before handing it over to Frank Francisco. Frank-Frank struck out Paul Goldschmidt for out 2, then got Miguel Montero to hit a long, long flyout to right to "put it in the books."

The Bad Stuff:

• That injury bug is seasonal...the whole season, that is. Ruben Tejada bunted aboard for a single in the 4th but left with a strained right quad after landing awkwardly around the area where the grass meets the dirt. He also took a hard faceplant; no word on whether he's been concussed. I would guess Ruben's day-to-day and that Justin Turner would fill in at shortstop if he doesn't go on the DL.

Final Analysis:
The Tejada injury mars what was an otherwise perfect afternoon in Flushing Meadows. R.A. continues to stand for "Real Ace," and Daniel Murphy keeps up his skill as a situational and all-around hitter, now batting .315 on the year.

The series win helps the Mets bounce back from their rough western road trip, just in time to hit the road again, this time staying in the Eastern time zone: they'll meet the Phillies tomorrow night to open a series on ESPN's Monday Night Baseball, then make a weekend excursion to Miami to break in Marlins Park for the first time.

MM