ST. LOUIS -- Except for winning the game, St. Louis Cardinals rookie pitcher Shelby Miller couldnt have asked for a better major league debut. Miller, a first-round pick of the Cardinals in 2009, was called up by St. Louis on Tuesday and got into action on Wednesday. He was impressive in tossing two scoreless innings that featured four strikeouts -- including striking out the side in the seventh -- but the only blemish was that the Cardinals were beaten 6-2 by the New York Mets. "Im happy for Shelby that he got his first game in and he obviously threw the ball well," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "Its obviously a nice way to break into the league." After shooting through the lower minors, the 21-year-old Miller figured to be the first pitcher called up from Triple A. But Miller struggled -- going 4-8 with an ERA over 6 in 17 games at Memphis -- and others, such as Joe Kelly, jumped over him. In his last 10 starts, Miller went 7-2 and earned his trip to the majors. He showed Wednesday that he wants to stick around. "I didnt really think I was going to go in," Miller said. "When I finally got the call, it was crazy. There were so many things going through my head. Everything worked out really well." Miller topped out at 94 mph. Usually a starter, Miller said he tried to take the same approach coming in from the bullpen. "I just treated it as a regular start, pretty much," Miller said. "(I) went in there and just tried to throw strikes and get hitters out. Thats the only approach I really had." The Mets did most of their damage off of starter Adam Wainwright (13-12), who allowed five runs and eight hits in five innings. However, Wainwright delivered the Cardinals first run when he led off the third inning with a home run against R.A. Dickey, who earned his major league-leading 18th win. It was Wainwrights first homer of the season and the sixth of his major league career. "Not good," Wainwright said. "I wasnt sharp by any means. I was battling my arm slot again." Dickey didnt have his best stuff, but had enough to earn his 18th win. Ike Davis hit a three-run homer to help his cause. The knuckleballer allowed two runs in 6 2-3 innings and became the first Mets pitcher to reach 18 wins since Frank Viola (20-12) and Dwight Gooden (19-7) both did it in 1990. Dickey (18-4) gave up eight hits and struck out five to help New York salvage a win to close out the three-game series. Davis gave the Mets a 5-1 lead with his 26th homer, and Daniel Murphy went 3-for-4 to lift his average in day games to an NL-best .351 (65 for 185). Josh Thole and Andres Torres had RBI singles, and Lucas Duda drove in the Mets other run with a bases-loaded walk. After Wainwrights homer cut the Mets advantage to 2-1, New York stretched its lead in the fifth on Davis shot. NOTES: Kyle Lohse (14-2) will seek to match Ted Wilkes, who started 15-2 in 1944, for the best start to a season for a Cardinals pitcher when he faces the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday. ... Dickeys ERA of 2.64 is second in the NL to Cincinnatis Johnny Cueto (2.58). ... The crowd of 30,090 was the smallest of the season in St. Louis. ... The game ended on a 9-4-6 double play when Adron Chambers was called out for failing to retouch second base as he retreated to first on Yadier Molinas fly ball to right. Jamie Langenbrunner USA Jersey . Second-line centre Mike Ribeiro delivered, giving his team a critical extra point when he scored at 2:01 of overtime to give Dallas a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Thursday night. Max Pacioretty USA Jersey . A 27-year-old right-hander, Wilkie is 0-2 with a 4.76 ERA in 18 relief appearances this year at Triple-A Syracuse of the International League. He was signed as a free agent from George Washington University in June 2006. http://www.usah... . First up, the Vancouver Canucks. The Vancouver Canucks, on paper, are by far Canadas top team and the best hope to contend for the Stanley Cup, but even coach Alain Vigneaults talented club has a long list of questions heading into training camp. [url=http://www.usahockeyteamjersey.com/cam-fowler-usa-jersey/]Cam Fowler USA Jersey . The release brings to an end Nowackis eight-year run with the Eskimos, the only team the Murray State product ever played for. Patrick Kane USA Jersey . Deron Williams had 15 points, 12 assists, four blocked shots and three steals, and the Nets used a run early in the fourth to break open a tie game and beat the Portland Trail Blazers 98-85 on Sunday.ST. LOUIS -- Lance Lynn learned a lot from his 18-day stint in the St. Louis bullpen. Lynn, making his second start since an Aug. 25 demotion, tossed 6 1-3 innings and David Freese and Yadier Molina both hit their 20th home run of the season to lead the Cardinals to a 5-0 victory over the Houston Astros on Wednesday night. The Cardinals, who have won seven straight against Houston, moved two games ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the race for the second wild card in the National League. Milwaukee is 2 1-2 games back. St. Louis has won three straight for the first time since a four-game streak from Aug. 21-24. The Cardinals have five players with at least 20 homers for the first time in franchise history. Carlos Beltran (29), Matt Holliday (27) and Allen Craig (21) already hit the milestone. Lynn (16-7) allowed three hits, struck out five and walked two in a 102-pitch stint. It was his second successive strong effort since posting a 6.56 ERA in five August starts. "I got away from what I was all about early on in the season," Lynn said. "I got off track, and tried to start nibbling and throwing breaking pitches. "Now, Im going right after hitters and its making all my stuff better." Lynn is 2-0 with 12 strikeouts, four walks and one earned run in 12 1-3 innings since his return. Lynn, who leads a talented staff in wins, retired nine straight batters after Jose Altuves double to start the game. The All-Star was removed from the rotation after an Aug. 24 outing in which he gave up four earned in two innings at Cincinnati. He made six appearances in the bullpen before returning to the rotation last Thursday at Los Angeles. He gave up one run and five hits in six innings of a 2-1 win. Manager Mike Matheny believes Lynn has returned to the rotation a smarter and more aggressive pitcher. "He didnt go down to the bullpen and sulk, he tried to make himself better," Matheny said. "I think he learned a lot about his demeanour. He shortened up his mechanics, really tightened everything up." Molina said Lynn was at his early season form. Lynn was 8-1 through the first two months of the season. "He was outstanding, he was keeping the ball down and he was aggressive," Molina said. Freese hit a two-ruun homer off Lucas Harrell (10-10) in the second inning.dddddddddddd. Harrell, winless in six starts, gave up three runs and five hits in 5 2-3 innings. He struck out seven and walked one. "They have some guys that can hit the ball and you just want to work hard and try and get through the game," Harrell said. Craig led off the second with a single to set the stage for Freeses shot. The Cardinals are 16-3 when Freese homers. Molina homered in the fourth with one out to push St. Louis lead to 3-0. The 20 homers for Freese and Molina are both career highs. "If you are a guy thats trying to solidify himself, thats the number that I think everybody else looks at," Freese said of the 20-homer mark. "Its nice to get to that number. Weve got a good number of guys that have 20 or more. Its fun to be a part of." Molina was pleased to get to the magical plateau. "I cant lie, its feels so good," he said. Houston interim manager Tony DeFrancesco was impressed with Molinas game-calling skills as well as his new-found power. "Hes proven that hes one of the best players in the game right now both offensively and defensively," he said. Jason Motte recorded his 37th save in 44 opportunities. Motte entered the game in the ninth inning with the bases loaded and one out, and ended it by striking out Chris Synder and Jimmy Paredes. Mitchell Boggs had struck out the side in the eighth on 12 pitches. The Cardinals tacked on two runs in the eighth on successive hits by Jon Jay, Beltran and Holliday, and a sacrifice fly by Craig. Notes: St. Louis RHP Jake Westbrook completed a successful bullpen session before the game. Westbrook, who strained a right oblique muscle on Sept 8, will throw again Friday. He is hoping to rejoin the rotation next week. ... Houston, which has used 11 rookies this season, has the youngest active roster in the majors, averaging 26.3 years. ... The Astros are 8-9 in September after rough stretches in August (5-22) and July (3-24). ... Former St. Louis OF Jim Edmonds was in attendance. ... Cardinals LHP Jaime Garcia (4-7, 4.24 ERA) will face Bud Norris (5-12, 4.93) in the series final on Thursday afternoon. Norris is 7-4 with a 2.61 ERA in 14 career starts against St. Louis. ' ' '