Dickey Impresses as Mets Edge Pirates

Lucas Duda smacked a go-ahead RBI-single in the top of the eighth in support of starter R.A. Dickey and the New York Mets edged the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 on Tuesday night.

Dickey (6-1) struck out a career-high 11 in seven innings, giving up one run on four hits to move into a tie with a host of others for the most wins in the majors. Frank Francisco pitched the ninth for his 11th save.

Josh Harrison had two hits for the Pirates, who couldn't take advantage of another strong start by James McDonald.

Mike Baxter, batting leadoff for the first time in his career, doubled off Juan Cruz (1-1) with one out in the eighth then came home two batters later when Duda's liner glanced off the glove of first baseman Garrett Jones and rolled into right field.

New York added an insurance run on an error by Pittsburgh's Pedro Alvarez and the Mets hung on.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)