NEW YORK — R.A. Dickey was concerned with only one number after befuddling another team with his knuckleball.

Dickey pitched a complete game for his 15th victory, stopping Jose Reyes' 26-game hitting streak in the process and helping the New York Mets end their nine-game home skid with a 6-1 win Thursday over the Miami Marlins.

"That nine-game streak that was stopped today is more important than the 15 wins," said Dickey, who allowed five hits and struck out 10.

Dickey (15-3) turned in his third straight stellar outing — he allowed only two earned runs combined in his previous two starts — after going through a monthlong rough patch. He was 12-1 at the All-Star break but 2-2 in six starts afterward.

Pitching in 89-degree heat, perfect weather for his fluttery pitch, the former Mariner threw his fourth complete game of the year and eighth of his career.

"He's got the feel for it back, again," manager Terry Collins said. "All I can tell you is I hope the next eight starts are like this one."

Collins was prepared to ride his ace down the stretch, pitching Dickey on three days' rest, but said that is not a consideration since the Mets have gone from 46-40 at the break to 54-58.

Royals' Butler

just misses cycle

BALTIMORE — Billy Butler had already cleared the most difficult obstacles in hitting for the cycle, with a home run and his first triple since 2009.

All he needed was a measly single in his final two at-bats to become the seventh player in Kansas City Royals history to complete the cycle.

Butler fell short, striking out twice in the late innings of the Royals' 8-2 win over Baltimore.

Butler homered in a four-run first inning, doubled in the third and tripled in the fifth. Vying to become the first Royals player to hit for the cycle since George Brett in 1990, Butler struck out against Matt Lindstrom in the seventh and submariner Darren O'Day in the ninth.

"I really didn't have much to hit," Butler said. "They pitched me tough with some really good sliders."

Still, Butler improved to 11 for 24 (.458) with three homers and five RBI in six games against Baltimore this season.

"I try not to feel like he's picking on us," said Orioles manager Buck Showalter.

Note

• Toronto put 3B Brett Lawrie on the 15-day disabled list with a possible rib-cage injury. The brother of former University of Washington softball star Danielle Lawrie is hitting .282 with nine home runs in his second season in the majors.