Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey is the first 20-game winner on a sub-.500 team since Roger Clemens with the Blue Jays in 1997 and a legitimate NL Cy Young Award contender.

Dickey limited the Pirates to three runs in 7 2/3 innings Thursday before departing with a three-run cushion. The Mets held on for a 6-5 win as Dickey improved to 20-6.

"It was as hard as it's ever been to not get emotional, that's for sure," Dickey said. "I mean, from the get-go, from the introductions to the last pitch."