scathed. Acquired in a July 4 trade from the Cubs, he

MINNEAPOLIS – When R.A. Dickey takes the mound on Thursday afternoon at Target Field, the forecast temperature of one Celsius will test a man who throws a unique pitch, the knuckleball, which is better suited to climate-controlled, humid conditions. Dickey insists hell be ready. “It would be the same challenge that I would have if I was pitching conventionally and just trying to get my body warm and going,” said Dickey. “As far as the conditions, cold isnt necessarily an enemy to the pitch. If Im throwing a good one it shouldnt matter.” The Blue Jays are armed with an eight-man bullpen, which include long options J.A. Happ, Todd Redmond and Esmil Rogers. Thanks to an off-day Monday and Wednesdays postponement, its all hands on deck should Dickey struggle. “Well know early on, I can guarantee you that,” said manager John Gibbons of whether Dickeys on his game. “Were fine down in the ‘pen so if we have to yank him, if hes not effective at all, weve got plenty of guys down there.” Dickey has gone bad start, good start, bad start over his first three outings. Hes gotten the decision in each, posting a 1-2 record and a 5.30 ERA in the early going. His walk total, which plummeted in the second half of last season compared to the first, has crept back up to 4.8 per nine innings pitched. Hell do his best to keep his body warm, specifically his fingertips because theyre crucial to the knuckleballs grip, as the game goes on. “Whatever thats going to be,” said Dickey. “Ride the bike a little bit in-between innings, come in (the clubhouse,) heating pack, whatever. We have plenty of stuff to keep us warm in-between innings. Well see.” The Blue Jays need a split of the doubleheader to secure a third-consecutive series victory. They took two of three from the Astros last week and two of three from the Orioles in Baltimore over the weekend. LINDS BACK TROUBLE IS BACK Adam Lind wouldnt, or couldnt, predict whether the lower back stiffness he suffered on Tuesday night will land him on the disabled list. “Were just going to try to do what we can to get me on the field as soon as we can,” said Lind. “We cant let it drag on,” said Gibbons. “Hopefully we can get through a couple of days without him. Were playing pretty good right now. We need him. Hes been a big contributor but its day to day.” Linds back seized in the fourth inning of Tuesday nights win as he was running to second base following a walk. He stayed in the game, singling and scoring in the sixth, before being lifted for pinch-hitter Josh Thole in the seventh. He was limping in the clubhouse after the game. It was a struggle to put on his shoes. Since then, Lind has made progress. “A lot,” he said. “Im functionable so hopefully have a good day of treatment all day today, just continue to try to get healthy and hopefully by the weekend Ill be ready to play.” The worst time of day is when Lind wakes up. His back spasms; he begins to move around and it loosens up somewhat. “Thats probably something thats going to linger with him for the rest of his career, I would think,” said Gibbons. “Those backs can be … so there can be times you need to give him a break if he flares up so you can calm it down. Hopefully it doesnt get any worse.” JANSSEN SUFFERS SETBACK Casey Janssen wont throw for the next two or three days with his minor league rehabilitation assignment halted as he tries to work his way back from an abdominal strain. “Its just not right,” said Gibbons. “Its not like its a lot worse but he doesnt feel quite comfortable enough yet to start cutting it loose.” Janssen pitched a scoreless inning for Single-A Dunedin on Tuesday night, allowing a hit and striking out a batter. GOSE RECALLED The Blue Jays recalled Anthony Gose for the second game of the doubleheader, when both clubs are allowed to carry a 26th player on the active roster. NIGHTCAP PITCHING MATC-HUP The Blue Jays will send right-hander Dustin McGowan (1-1, 4.00) to the mound tonight against Twins right-hander Mike Pelfrey (0-2, 7.84). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 EDT. Justin Bethel Jersey . Berkman almost left the game last off-season before signing with the Texas Rangers. He then had another injury-plagued season and was limited to 73 games. Logan Paulsen Jersey . MLB.com reported that the Dodgers locked the left-hander in for one year at $10 million with up to $4 million in incentives. http://www.falconsrookiestore.com/Falcon...nat-Jersey/.com) - Blake Griffin led five Clippers in double figures with 24 points and the LA Clippers got back on track with a 101-97 win over the Utah Jazz. Calvin Ridley Falcons Jersey .C. - Heat coach Erik Spoelstra says Danny Granger, Chris Andersen and Udonis Haslem are still not ready to play and will miss Wednesday nights game against the Charlotte Hornets. Ito Smith Jersey .com) - Damian Lillard poured in 40 points on 11-of-21 shooting to go along with 11 assists, and the Portland Trail Blazers stunned the Oklahoma City Thunder, 115-111, in overtime on Tuesday.OAKLAND, Calif. -- The New York Mets still consider themselves a contender in the NL East chase even with a daunting deficit to make up over the final month. Theyre counting on building on their latest offensive performance. Lucas Duda hit a three-run homer, Eric Campbell also connected and the Mets beat the Oakland Athletics 8-5 on Wednesday to snap a three-game losing streak. "I hope it lifts us. I hope it gets us going," manager Terry Collins said. "There were some big hits and some very good at-bats. I just hope this is the start of a final six weeks with some good offensive nights." Zack Wheeler (9-8) allowed two earned runs while working 5 2-3 solid innings. The Mets split their quick two-game interleague series. Wheeler is 6-0 with a 2.12 ERA over his nine outings since June 30. The As chased him after two innings in the shortest start of his career on June 25. The right-hander and former San Francisco Giants top prospect improved to 4-1 in his last 10 road starts. Jeurys Familia relieved Vic Black with the bases loaded and one out in the eighth and walked in a run but avoided further damage. He finished for his fourth save. Campbell and Duda homered during a five-run third against Jeff Samardzija (3-3). Samardzija had been unbeaten in five previous starts at the Coliseum. Instead, he was done after 3 2-3 innings. The As closed to 5-2 in the third on consecutive RBI doubles by Coco Crisp and John Jaso. New York added on in the fourth with RBI singles from Curtis Granderson and Daniel Murphy. "We strung five, six, seven hits in an inning. Its something to build on," Duda said. "Hopefully we can continue rolling." Samardzija cruised through a 10-pitch first inning and got through the second unscathed. Acquired in a July 4 trade from the Cubs, he has never beaten the Mets in nine appearances and three starts. "Its just having trouble putting guys away," Samardzija said. "Probably as simple as that." Oakland lostt for the eighth time in 10 games.dddddddddddd The As returned home from a 1-6 road trip through Kansas City and Atlanta in which they lost their last five. Murphys two-run fielding error aided the As in the fourth. He nearly had the ball, but it skipped off his glove and then he inadvertently kicked it. PLAN FOR COLON: Bartolo Colon will rejoin the Mets this weekend in Los Angeles and pitch Sunday before returning to the Dominican Republic for his mothers funeral. The right-hander was placed on the bereavement list on Tuesday. ICE BUCKET CHALLENGE: As team president Michael Crowley and other club officials participated in the ice bucket challenge for ALS after the game in the right field corner. OF Jonny Gomes did his own version. TRAINERS ROOM Mets: OF Kirk Nieuwenhuis was a late scratch, apparently his stiff neck still an issue. Athletics: INF Nick Punto, sidelined with a strained right hamstring, is in the beginning stages of running. "Its feeling good. The strength is getting back in there," Punto said. ... 3B Josh Donaldson had much of the day off because "hes a little bit tired right now," manager Bob Melvin said. Donaldson entered as a pinch-hitter in the seventh and had a leadoff single. UP NEXT Mets: New York continues its five-game California road trip with the opener of a three-game series Friday against the Dodgers, sending LHP Jonathon Niese (7-8, 3.50 ERA) to the mound looking to improve to 3-0 in six career starts against Los Angeles. Athletics: The As have their second off-day in a four-day stretch before opening a key weekend series at home with the division-leading Los Angeles Angels. The schedule allowed Melvin to tweak his rotation and use three top starters: Sonny Gray, Jon Lester and Scott Kazmir. Gray is 0-4 in August after his 6-0 July that earned him AL Pitcher of the Month. "We have an off-day tomorrow to clear our heads," Melvin said. "We know it will be an exciting series and a big series coming up." 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