ST. LOUIS -- R.A. Dickey is the winningest pitcher in baseball for the time being. He helped the Mets break a two-game losing streak by holding the Cardinals to 8 hits in a 6-2 victory at Busch Stadium. The knuckleball specialist fanned 5 and walked only a single batter.

What it means: Dickey improved his record to 18-4, with the Washington Nationals' Gio Gonzalez (17-7) facing the Chicago Cubs tonight. New York finished with a record of 6-3 on the nine-game road trip, the second-longest of the season. The Mets improved to 35-37 on the road.

Into the light: Dickey improved his daytime record to 11-1, tying him with Cincinnati's Johnny Cueto. Only Tom Seaver (12-5, 1975) and Dwight Gooden (10-3, 1985) have reached double-digits in daytime victories for the Mets.

Going deep: Cards starter Adam Wainwright hit his first home run of the season off Dickey in the third inning. The home run was the 18th allowed by Dickey this season. The homer, on a 0-2 count, was the sixth in Wainwright's career and it measured 400 feet.

Murphy rules: Second baseman Daniel Murphy took a hit away from Carlos Beltran in the third inning. Murphy went to the shortstop side of second base and leaped as he threw to get Beltran at first in a close play.

Big stick: Murphy was just as good at the plate with three singles, all to center field. He leads the NL with a .351 batting average during the day.

Ike goes deep: First baseman Ike Davis hit his 26th home run of the season to right field in the third inning. The homer was measured at 385 feet.

Rough day at the office: Mets shortstop Ruben Tejada was hit by a pitch in the first and then struck out in his next four appearances.

Screen play: Mets manager Terry Collins challenged a catch behind home plate by Cards catcher Tony Cruz in the sixth inning. Collins said the ball, hit by Andres Torres, glanced off the screen before Cruz made the catch. Home plate umpire Cory Blaser did not agree and the call stood.

Home cooking: After playing nine consecutive games on the road, the Mets host Atlanta and Washington in a six-game homestand starting on Friday.

Up next: The Mets are off Thursday and begin a 3-game series Friday at home against the Braves. New York will start Jon Niese (10-8) against Paul Maholm (11-9) at 7:10 p.m. in the opener. Jeremy Hefner (2-5) faces Kris Medlen (7-1) at 4:05 p.m. Saturday and Chris Young (4-7) pitches against Tommy Hanson (12-7) in the final game at 1:10 p.m. Sunday.