Knuckling Under Can Be A Good Thing
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By DERON SNYDER
Two weeks ago, we asked why the Washington Nationals couldn’t complete a series sweep, as the team was 0-7 when the opportunity presented itself. The Nats promptly put that matter to rest by going on the road and brooming the Atlanta Braves.
Washington failed in its first chance to repeat the feat, dropping Thursday’s series finale against the New York Mets. But after watching R.A. Dickey’s masterful performance in a 3-1 victory, another question came to mind:
Why don’t more pitchers give the knuckleball a try?
Dickey allowed just three balls out of the infield in his 7 1/3 shutout innings, constantly confounding batters with his frustrating knuckler. It was a continuation of his stellar start as he improved to 9-1 and lowered his ERA to 2.44. He has a scoreless streak of 24 2/3 innings.
“When you get in that batter’s box against him,” Mets manager Terry Collins said, “you better be ready to hit something that’s fluttering.”
