WHAT IT MEANS: The Mets still have not pitched a perfect game in their 8,021-game history. Ex-Met Carlos Beltran led off the second inning of Saturday’s game with a double -- and this time it actually counted.

But Beltran’s two-base knock was one of the only blemishes on R.A. Dickey’s docket. The 37-year-old knuckleballer followed Johan Santana’s no-hitter with a dazzling performance of his own.

Dickey hurled his third career complete-game shutout and guided New York to a 5-0 victory over St. Louis at Citi Field. He allowed just seven hits, walked none and struck out nine -- coming up just shy of his third straight start with double-digit Ks.

Dickey needed just 100 pitches -- 34 less than Santana.

Dickey (8-1) has not given up a run since the sixth inning of his May 22 start in Pittsburgh. He is 6-0 in his last eight starts -- and has given up just one run in his last three outings (23 1/3 innings).

The Mets (30-23) have won six of their last eight games. They dealt Cardinals right-hander Lance Lynn (8-2) just his second loss of the season.

New York left 11 men on base.

THE WRIGHT WAY: David Wright doubled and hit his sixth home run of the year with two outs in the eighth. Wright’s opposite-field shot was aided by the ballpark’s shorter dimensions -- they lead their opponents in “New Citi Jacks,” 9-8. The Mets third baseman is now just one run shy of tying Jose Reyes for the franchise record (733).

SMALL BALL: The Mets scored three runs in the second -- and only one ball (Ike Davis’ leadoff single) left the infield in the frame.

WEB GEM: Omar Quintanilla made a heck of a play to end the seventh. The shortstop dove to his left, then spun and fired to first to take a base hit away from Yadier Molina. He also started a nifty 6-4-3 double-play in the ninth.

NO-HAN: Santana, fresh off pitching the first no-hitter in Mets’ history, tipped his cap to the crowd and got a nice ovation before the game. Umpire Adrian Johnson, who mistakenly called Beltran’s double a foul ball in the sixth inning on Friday night, was cheered when he was introduced by the P.A. announcer.

UP NEXT: Left-hander Jon Niese (3-2, 4.55 ERA) opposes righty Jake Westbrook (4-4, 3.69) on Sunday Night Baseball.