Dickey keeps cool in win over Braves

Dickey keeps cool in win over Braves

Howard Simmons/New York Daily News

R.A. Dickey, who says he's excited to improve on Saturday's outing against the Braves, turns over a one-run lead to the bullpen in the seventh.

The cooler weather usually causes R.A. Dickey to lose some of the feel he has for his knuckleball, and the renowned mountain climber and author believes his survival in Saturdays 4-2 win over Atlanta was a testament to that reality.

Dickey thought he had a very mediocre knuckler despite allowing just two runs over six innings even though catcher Josh Thole replied, I beg to differ, when presented with his pitc hers assessment.

DICKEY KEEPS COOL IN WIN OVER BRAVES

Im not terribly disappointed. But theres a lot to improve on for me, which is exciting, Dickey said. I would have liked to have a better grip, for sure, but I threw enough good pitches, enough good knuckleballs, where I think I really only gave up one hard hit ball maybe two the home run (to Martin Prado in the fourth inning) and maybe another one to center field that was caught.

They were still just getting pieces of it even though it was a very mediocre knuckleball. And thats a good sign, too. I just needed to throw more strikes with it.

DUDA IS HOMER HAPPY AS METS BLAST BRAVES, 4-2

Dickey, whose book, Wherever I Wind Up with the Daily News Wayne Coffey was released late last month, scattered five hits before turning over a one-run lead to the bullpen in the seventh.

He considered his two-out walk to Michael Bourn prior to Prados game-tyin g blast a gargantuan mistake, but the Mets No.2 starter still baffled enough Braves to record his 13th consecutive quality start dating back to July 25, the longest current streak in the majors.

Thats always been a goal of mine is to be dependable and to give our team a chance to win, and to be trustworthy when I get thrown out there. I take pride in that, Dickey said. Thats a big deal to me, and I take that personally. Hopefully we can keep that going.

Dickey also sees no reason why the Mets cant continue to have success, with Johan Santana ahead of him and the rest of a returning starting rotation and a revamped bullpen behind them, the latter combining for seven straight shutout innings over two games.

Today was a great community win, Dickey said. Today was about a rookie (Kirk Nieuwenhuis) getting his first two hits and Lucas (Duda) getting his first multihome run game probably of many and thats what the day should be about.

Its been just a good couple of days. Im hoping this is going to be the norm for us.