Mets 6, Cardinals 2: R.A. Dickey became baseball's first 18-game winner after tossing 6 2/3 solid innings and Ike Davis belted a three-run homer as visiting New York salvaged the finale of its three-game set with St. Louis.

Dickey (18-4) also became the Mets' first 18-game winner since Frank Viola won 20 and Dwight Gooden had 19 during the 1990 season. The veteran knuckleballer, who allowed two runs on eight hits and struck out five, moved past Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto and Tampa Bay's David Price for top honors in the league.

Washington's Gio Gonzalez equaled Dickey with his 18th victory in the Nationals' 9-1 rout of the Chicago Cubs later in the day.

Adam Wainwright led off the third inning with his sixth career homer for the Cardinals, who sit 1 1/2 games ahead of Los Angeles and Pittsburgh for the second wild-card spot.

Davis provided the big blow off Wainwright (13-12) with one out in the fifth inning. With two runners aboard, Davis deposited a curveball into the seats in right field for his 26th homer - and National League-best 19th on the road.

Daniel Murphy collected three hits and Josh Thole, Andres Torres and Lucas Duda all had an RBI for the Mets, who have won eight of their last 11 contests.

After getting thrashed for six runs in 2 2/3 innings in his last start, Wainwright saw his six-game home winning streak come to an end. The right-hander yielded five runs on eight hits before exiting after five innings.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Prized St. Louis prospect Shelby Miller made his major-league debut to begin the sixth inning. Miller relieved Wainwright and struck out four in two scoreless frames. ... Cardinals OF Carlos Beltran returned following a two-game absence to rest his sore left knee. The former Met went 0-for-4. ... Wainwright's homer was his first since Aug. 14, 2009 against San Diego. The blast by a pitcher was the first such homer permitted by Dickey in his career. ... New York will enjoy a day off before hosting Atlanta for a three-game stretch. ... St. Louis will also return to the field on Friday to begin a three-game series versus visiting Milwaukee.