Dickey One-hits Phils and Castillo Wants Out!

Written by Nikki DeMaio | 14 August 2010

Would someone like to tell me what baseball team we've been watching the past two days?  Last night, RA Dickey bounced back against the Phillies in a big way:  by tossing a complete game, one-hit shutout.  This is the first time the Mets have won back to back games since the 22nd and 23rd of June, and they've made quite a statement in these games.  Dickey looked fantastic, especially compared to his start against the Phillies last weekend.  He kept hitters off balance, mixed his pitches well, and came away with a well deserved win.  I also think it's interesting that with Frankie Rodriguez serving his two game suspension, Johan Santana and RA Dickey responded with complete game shutouts - nullifying the need for a closer.  I'm not sure if they would have gotten the chance to do so had Rodriguez been available (I'd like to think they would have, though).

In other interesting news, Luis Castillo is officially on the record as saying he wants to leave the Mets.  Dan Martin of the New York Post has quoted Castillo as saying, "I can't be here anymore."  Castillo feels he can - and should - still be an every day player and does not want to be a back up.  In many ways, Castillo has become symbolic of the things Mets fans feel are wrong with the way the organization is run, and I don't think many people would be sorry to see him go.  Personally, if the team is going to struggle, I want to see the young guys get a chance.  I understand Castillo's frustration with that, especially since according to him he was not made aware of the fact that he would be playing until arriving at the park the day Ruben Tejada was called up.  This doesn't shock me because the Mets do that kind of thing all the time, but I agree with the logic behind the moves.

Tonight the Mets will send Pat Misch to the mound to face Roy Halladay.  Misch was called up after posting a record of 11-4 with a 3.23 ERA at Triple A Buffalo.  Ryoto Igarashi and Raul Valdes were demoted to clear roster space for Misch and Frankie Rodriguez, who will be available to pitch tonight.  I've got my own issues with that, but for today, I'm accepting the back to back wins and focusing on the good stuff.