(Sports Network) - R.A. Dickey hopes the New York Mets have some life left in their bats this evening, as the knuckleballer tries to remain unbeaten on the season in the second test of a three-game set with the Detroit Tigers at Citi Field.
If the Mets provide Dickey with the type of support they gave Jon Niese in the opener of this series, the right-handed veteran should have no problem getting to 6-0. New York exploded at the plate on Tuesday, as Angel Pagan went 4-for-6 with four runs batted in and three runs scored as part of the Mets' 16-hit attack in the 14-6 rout.
"I was just seeing the ball and hitting it hard -- anywhere," Pagan said. "I felt great at the plate."
Ike Davis added three hits and three RBI for the Mets, who snapped a two-game skid. David Wright and Jason Bay each knocked in two runs for the victors.
Niese went 4 2/3 innings in the start, allowing six runs on seven hits. Fernando Nieve (2-3) tossed 2 1/3 scoreless frames of relief to earn the win.
Brennan Boesch hit a two-run homer and drove in a total of three runs for the Tigers, who lost for only the second time in 10 games. Justin Verlander (8-5) lasted just two-plus innings, giving up five runs on five hits to take the loss.
Detroit will have to solve Dickey tonight if it plans on evening this set. Recalled from Triple-A Buffalo on May 19, Dickey has been a pleasant surprise for the Mets, who have never had a starter win his first six decisions with the team.
Dickey won his fifth straight start Thursday in Cleveland, as the Indians managed three runs (two earned) and seven hits in six innings against him. Mike Pelfrey is the last Mets starter to win six in a row to begin his tenure with the team, accomplishing the feat from June 16-July 13, 2008.
The 35-year-old hurler, who has pitched to a 2.82 ERA on the year, has faced the Tigers 12 times (five starts) and is 2-2 with a 4.69 ERA.
Detroit will counter with righty Jeremy Bonderman, who is 3-4 with a 4.06 ERA. Bonderman won for the first time since May 20 Thursday against Washington, holding them to a pair of runs and five hits in seven innings. He also struck out seven while issuing one walk.
Bonderman is 1-1 lifetime against the Mets with a 7.36 ERA in two starts.
Detroit took two of three from the Mets the last time these teams met back in 2007 at Comerica Park.