QUEENS, N.Y. -- Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey is making a strong case for the National League Cy Young award.

Dickey struck out 13 last night and gave up three runs in 7 and 2/3 innings. After Thursday nights game, Dickey leads the National League with 222 strikeouts with an ERA of 2.69.

He also earned his 20th win with the effort which puts him on the same page in history as another famous knuckleballer. Dickey is the first knuckleballer since Joe Niekro in 1980 to win 20 games in a season.