Dickey Takes No-Hit Bid Into 7th, Phils Lose Again

NEW YORK (AP) – R.A. Dickey took a no-hit bid into the seventh inning, David Wright hit a tiebreaking double in the eighth and the New York Mets beat the slumping Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 Saturday in the opener of a day-night doubleheader, sending the NL East champions to their seventh consecutive loss.

Cole Hamels pitched seven sharp innings in a playoff tuneup for the Phillies, allowing only a pinch-hit homer by Valentino Pascucci that tied the score in the seventh. The left-hander, 3-10 in 17 starts against the Mets, yielded four hits and struck out seven.

The Phillies already wrapped up home-field advantage throughout the postseason – and they’re playing as though they have little motivation left until the playoffs.

(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)