R.A. Dickey’s incredible stretch of success continued tonight, as he carved up the Orioles for his second straight one-hitter as part of a 5-0 victory.
There was no controversy over the lone hit tonight, as Wilson Betemit ripped a clean single to right-center field with two outs in the top of the fifth inning. Still, he was nothing short of sensational, striking out a career-high 13 while walking just two.
Dickey is the first pitcher to throw back-to-back one-hitters since Dave Steib with the Blue Jays in 1988. The 37-year-old knuckleballer is the first National League hurler to do it since Jim Tobin of the Boston Braves back in 1944.
Over Dickey’s last six starts, he has allowed just two runs (one earned) while striking out 63 and walking five over 48 2/3 innings. He now leads the majors with 11 wins and finds himself tied for the major league lead in both ERA (2.00 ERA, tied with Brandon Beachy) and strikeouts (103 strikeouts, tied with Justin Verlander). Simply remarkable.