Dickey: Nats have "the best lineup I have faced"

By Byron Kerr

Nationals

September 12, 2012, 4:05am

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The Nationals got back on track in New York, winning another series, and beating a pitcher who had been unbeatable most of the season. Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, lost for just fifth time in his last 29 starts, allowing a game-changing two-run homer to pinch-hitter Tyler Moore, and the Nationals went on to win 5-3. Dickey, who allowed only three runs in seven innings, said he has not seen anyone else hit like the Nationals have this season. "That is the best lineup I have faced," Dickey told reporters. "They are just so functional. They got guys that can run, they have great energy, they have power. Every one of them can hit a home run just about. There is not really a lot of breathing room. You can't afford to make mistakes to these guys and I made one and that was unfortunate." It is high praise when a Cy Young Award candidate singles out the Nationals and with good reason. This team is hitting on all cylinders at just the right time. And even though they managed just three runs, it felt like 10 against a knuckleballer as good as Dickey.