MLB rejects Mets’ appeal for second franchise no-hitter

The New York Mets’ appeal for a scoring change that would have resulted in the second no-hitter in franchise history has been rejected by Major League Baseball.

Mets manager Terry Collins had asked that an infield hit by the Tampa Bay Rays’ B.J. Upton be changed to an error against third baseman David Wright. Upton’s bouncer up the third-base line that Wright tried to grab with his bare hand was the lone hit off Mets pitcher R.A. Dickey in the 9-1 New York victory last week.

Collins said the decision to appeal was made in support of Dickey, a knuckleball specialist with a 10-1 record this season.

“We had a shot at a no-hitter, my pitcher never had a no- hitter, so you give it a shot,” Collins said in a news conference at Citi Field in New York. “That’s the process. We didn’t win it; we didn’t expect to win it.”

Wright said it was “a little awkward when the team wants an error on its own player.” Collins disagreed. “It wasn’t awkward at all, David normally makes that play,” the manager said. “What the heck do we have to lose? It’s no slap at David Wright.”

With the win, Dickey set the Mets’ consecutive scoreless innings record of 322/ passing Jerry Koosman’s 1973 mark.

“I think the asterisk beside the no-hitter would get more attention than the no-hitter,” Dickey told reporters.

The Mets, who started play in 1962, didn’t get their first no-hitter until June 1, when Johan Santana shutout the St. Louis Cardinals. There have been five no-hitters in the major leagues this season, including two perfect games.

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