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NEW YORK —R. Kirk Cousins Red Jersey .A. Dickey,
Johan Santana and the New York Mets toyed with the punchless San Diego Padres
for a weekend. They know the real test begins Monday, though, when the rival
Philadelphia Phillies come to town. Dickey struck out 10 to reach double digits
for strikeouts in consecutive games for the first time in his career, and the
Mets held the Padres scoreless for the second straight day with a 2-0 win
Sunday. “For it to play out like it has in the last few games its been nice but
were not delusional,” Dickey said. “We know theres a lot of baseball to be
played.” Dickey (7-1) struck out 11 Pirates on Tuesday. He is the first Mets
pitcher to have back-to-back games with at least 10 Ks since Pedro Martinez did
it in May 2006. Johan Santana pitched a four-hitter Saturday. He and Dickey
combined in August 2010 for New Yorks last set of complete-game shutouts. Dickey
needed a bit of help to finish this one. Tim Byrdak got two outs to finish the
eighth and Frank Francisco pitched the ninth for his 13th save in 15 chances.
The Mets shut out the Nationals last season on May 18 and 19, both joint
efforts. “Its nice to be able to celebrate some good outings in a row and,
hopefully, the next guy out feels an obligation to keep its where its at right
now,” Dickey said. “I certainly did after Johan passed the gauntlet.”
Daniel Murphy had an RBI single and Mike Baxter scored on a passed ball as the
Mets took advantage of a wild Edinson Volquez (2-5). New York won three of four
over San Diego to move six games over .500 for the first time since July 18,
2010. On Monday, the Mets start a run of eight straight series against teams who
had winning records entering Sunday. “When you play these teams you raise your
level,” Mets manager Terry Collins said. “We got to pick our game up. Theres no
doubt about it. But if we continue to pitch, well be in some games.” The Padres
won the opener of the series, scoring a season-high 11 runs. But in the final
three they had only one run—going scoreless for 26 straight innings—and 11
hits. With 13 players on the disabled list and outfielder Cameron Maybin
sidelined since Saturday with a sore wrist, San Diego has lost six of seven on
its 10-game road trip. The Padres might be getting some help Monday in Chicago.
Padres manager Bud Black said before the game that slugger Carlos Quentin could
join the team for a series that begins Monday. Afterward, he said there will
likely be a roster move Monday. Quentin has been out all season after having
knee surgery in mid-March. The Mets brought back Banner Day for the first time
since 1996 as part of their season-long 50th anniversary celebration. Several
signs asked for Dickey to throw the Mets first no-hitter. Yonder Alonso dashed
those hopes with two outs in the first, but, boy, Dickey was good. The quirky
right-hander walked to the mound to Darth Vaders theme, “The Imperial March,”
before the first pitch and then was ruthless with his knuckleball. He struck out
the first two Padres—Everth Cabrera was not able to hold onto his bat as he
flailed at strike three. Cabrera didnt even bother swinging at the third strike
his second time up. The Padres got a hit in each of the first two innings then
went hitless until Jesus Guzman doubled with one out in the seventh—their
second extra-base hit after Thursdays win. Guzman then got thrown out trying to
steal third base. “Its tougher if hes on, we were making him earn it, pumping
strikes with the knuckleball,” Black said. Dickey gave up three hits, walked one
and hit a batter in 7 1-3 innings. “The knuckleball is a funny thing. Its very
enigmatic,” Dickey said. “Overall, I felt pretty good with where its at.” Dickey
credits catcher Mike Nickeas with giving him the confidence to try different
things with his fluttery pitch that he can throw from 60 to 80 mph. Nickeas
thinks Dickey is striking out more batters because he has better control of the
high knuckleballs. Taking advantage of Volquezs wildness in the first, the Mets
added to their major league-leading total of runs scored with two outs. After
retiring the first two batters, Volquez walked David Wright. Wright stole second
and advanced to third on a wild pitch on ball four to Lucas Duda. Murphy then
lined a single to right-centre for the lead. Volquez needed 75 pitches to get
through the first three innings but New York had little success against him. “I
was a little bit all over in the first inning,” Volquez said. “Then I fixed my
mechanics and came back and pitched better.” Turner singled with two outs in the
fifth, ending Volquezs day after 109 pitches. The 28-year-old right-hander
allowed five hits and two runs. He struck out five and walked three. NOTES:
About a dozen members of the Ivy League champion Cornell baseball team visited
with Black before the game. Padres hitting coach Phil Plantiers son Ryan is on
the team. ... Mets C Josh Thole (concussion) is scheduled to play in an extended
spring game on Monday. ... Collins turned 63. The clubhouse was kept closed for
a few extra minutes after the game so the team could give him a cake. Ryan Kerrigan Red Jersey . —The week began
like too many others in recent years for the Miami Dolphins: with uncertainty at
quarterback. London Fletcher Black Jersey . Not because it
actually rained, but because one of the teams turned on the sprinkler and left
it running. Only two witnesses had been called last July when U. http://www.nflredskinsfansstore.com/nike-trent-williams-Redskins-jersey/
. —As far as Aaron Rodgers is concerned, the five big guys who will line up in
front of him Sunday compare favourably with any offensive line he has played
behind during his time in Green Bay. Leonard Hankerson Jersey . —The Tampa Bay
Rays made Felix Hernandezs perfect game look even more impressive by roughing up
the Los Angeles Angels during an impressive four-game series sweep. Alfred Morris Black Jersey . The 40-year-old
announced on Twitter that he was hanging up his gloves, saying he “loved every
moment of it. Win, lose or draw.” Mosley lost three of his last four fights,
including a dreary bout against Manny Pacquiao in May 2011 in which he mostly
seemed to be avoiding the Filipino star in the ring.PHOENIX—The Arizona
Diamondbacks wildcard chase ended early Friday night but the team battled on.
“What else are we supposed to do?” Diamondbacks manager Kirk Gibson said after
his clubs 8-3 victory over the Chicago Cubs. “You try to win as many games as
you can. Thats what youre supposed to do. People are still out here to see you”
Justin Upton and Cody Ransom homered as the Diamondbacks snapped a two-game
losing streak but still were eliminated from the NL wild card midway through the
game when the St. Louis Cardinals beat the Washington Nationals 12-2. “Because
of your pride you never go out there and give up or roll over,” Upton said. “We
knew we were done but you still go out there and play the game right.” Arizona
starter Ian Kennedy (15-11) was uncharacteristically wild, walking six in 5 1/3
innings but held the Cubs to three runs and four hits. The right-hander struck
out five. Kennedys six walks were his second-most in 109 career starts, trailing
only a nine-walk outing on June 26, 2010 at Tampa Bay. It was also one more walk
than he had issued in his four previous September starts combined. Among
Kennedys walks were three to Alfonso Soriano and another to Darwin Barney with a
pinch-hitter for starter Travis Wood standing in the on-deck circle. “There are
good walks and bad walks,” Kennedy said. “Its a matter of picking your spots.
(Soriano), with one swing of the bat can tie the ball game up so I didnt want to
give him anything to hit.” Kennedy became the fourth Diamondbacks pitcher to
post consecutive 15-win seasons, joining Randy Johnson, Curt Schilling and
Brandon Webb. “To be in that company means a lot,” Kennedy said. Aaron Hill and
A.J. Pollock had RBI doubles, and Adam Eaton added a run-scoring single for
Arizona. Dave Sappelt homered, and Wood (6-13) allowed five runs and five hits
over five innings for the Cubs, who have lost six straight and 10 of 11. Wood
struck out three and walked two in his second straight loss. “A solo homers OK
but especially the two-run homer that Upton hit, that one hurt,” Wood said.
“That kind of put it out of reach and they kept tacking on after theat. If I
could take that back, we were right there.. Alfred Morris Redskins Jersey. .” Chicago set
a franchise record with its 57th loss away from Wrigley Field and is winless
this season in road 17 games against the NL West. “Our road record has been
pretty awful,” Cubs manager Dale Sveum said. “With not very good teams, thats
usually what happens. You wish you had the magic potion for that one but even
the great teams struggle on the road. They dont struggle as bad but you know the
road is going to be difficult.” Eaton doubled to lead off the game and Pollock
followed with a double to right-centre to give Arizona a 1-0 lead. Ransom
homered to left with one out in the fourth to make it 2-0. Sappelt hit his
second home run in four days, a two-out shot to left-centre field, to tie the
game 2-2 in the fifth but Hill drove home Kennedy and Upton followed with a
towering two-out homer to left to put Arizona back in front 5-2. Starlin Castro
doubled home Soriano in the sixth for the Cubs final run. The Diamondbacks added
three runs in the eighth against Jaye Chapman the first scoring on a throwing
error by Barney—the second basemans second of the season and first since
April 17. Barney had been three outs from setting the major league record with
his 142nd consecutive errorless game at second. He finishes tied with
Placido Polanco who went 141 games without an error at second in with Detroit in
2007. “I felt for the kid,” Gibson said. “Hes a good kid and plays the game the
right way from what Ive seen of him.” NOTES: The Cubs lost 56 of 77 road games
in 1956. . Kennedy reached the 200-inning mark to become the fifth pitcher in
franchise history with consecutive 200-inning seasons. ... Castro, who entered
the game in a 2-for-10 slide, went 3 for 4. ... The Diamondbacks elimination
from the pennant race officially came with one out in the bottom of the fifth
inning. ... Arizona 1B Paul Goldschmidt was scratched shortly before the first
pitch with a sore back. Mike Jacobs took his place and hit sixth. ... RHP
Justin Germano (2-9) will try to snap a seven-game losing streak when he takes
the mound Saturday night for the Cubs against Arizona RHP Trevor Cahill (12-12).
Cahill, who is one strikeout away from a career high 147, is 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA
in his past two starts at home. ’ ’ ’