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(AP) -- New York Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey
wasn't sure how he would react to having a spot in the rotation
secured entering spring training.

He found out Wednesday in his first Grapefruit League outing.

Dickey pitched three innings in New York's 3-2 loss to the St.
Louis Cardinals, allowing one run on three hits and striking out
four.

The right-hander retired his first seven batters before giving
up three hits in the third, including a two-out RBI double by Jon
Jay. 

But with two on, Dickey struck out Albert Pujols for the second
time. Pujols fanned all three times he batted.

(Copyright ©2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)