The Mets will now have to win their next two games to do two things: win consecutive road games, and win a road series against a National League opponent.

It’s going to be a tough challenge. They had the man on the mound for the job, and he didn’t get it done.

Johan Santana has no one to blame but himself for losing last night’s game. He pitched all eight innings and allowed two big home runs to Hunter Pence. It wasn’t run support or his bullpen that blew his chance at a victory.

The Mets will have a pitcher on the mound tonight who has been maybe better than Santana this season.

R.A. Dickey just continues to prove the critics wrong every time he takes the mound. It all came together for him in his last start on Friday against the Phillies.

He pitched the greatest game of his career, and actually no-hit the Phillies offense. It was a complete game one-hitter that he twirled, with the only hit coming from Cole Hamels. He left the knuckleball up in the zone, but it was meant to be.

Every Mets fan knows that no-hitters aren’t meant to be, and that the hit was eventually going to come.

After the game, Dickey was asked about his feelings on missing out on the opportunity. He said, “I could react in two ways. Pretend that I threw the no-hitter or be mad at Francoeur for not throwing Hamels out at first.”

All of the fun and excitement that Dickey has provided is just part of the story that grows. His numbers back it up with a record of 8-5 and a 2.43 ERA.

If anyone had said those would be his numbers through 17 starts, they would’ve known something the Twins (his last team) didn’t know. Instead, the Mets found Dickey just when he has developed his knuckler, and hope he carries the magic for the rest of the season.

Going for the Astros will be the only starter not to get dealt at the trading deadline, Brett Myers. The Mets had actually shown interest in him, but decided not to make any moves at the deadline. The Astros held on to him, while dealing away both Roy Oswalt and Lance Berkman.

Myers has been the biggest innings-eater in baseball this season. In each of his 24 starts, he has pitched at least six innings. He’s been effective while doing it. He has eight wins, and an ERA of 3.13.

He pitched a great game in his last start against the Pirates on Friday. In seven innings, he allowed one run on seven hits, walked none, and struck out seven. He’s been able to keep his walks down this season, allowing him to go deep in every game.

This is Myers’ first season in Houston after spending his first eight seasons in Philadelphia.

Against the right-handed Myers, the Mets should have the kids back in their lineup. One kid who is in a major slump is 20-year-old Ruben Tejada. He’s in an 0-for-25 skid, and hasn’t recorded a hit since returning from Triple-A on August 7.

On the other hand, David Wright finally drove his first run in of August, with his 18th home run of the season last night.

With Francisco Rodriguez being out for the season, the Mets will go with Hisanori Takahashi to close for the majority of the time. Jerry Manuel said his decision will be based on “matchups.”

The Mets will try to be the first to knock Myers out before the sixth inning, and ride Dickey’s magic to victory.

R.A. Dickey vs. Houston (career: two games)
0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2 IP, 0 hits, 0 BB, 1 SO

Brett Myers vs. New York (career)
9-6, 5.01 ERA, 120.1 IP, 124 hits, 36 BB, 96 SO

2010 season series (New York vs. Houston)

August 16:
New York 3, Houston 1
August 17: Houston 4, New York 3

Series tied 1-1

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