Dickey's knuckler doing his bidding

Last update: March 29, 2009 - 11:57 PM

FORT MYERS, FLA. - Time is running out for relievers to win a spot in the Twins bullpen. A couple tried to impress on Sunday during a 5-3 victory over St. Louis.

Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey replaced starter Kevin Slowey for the seventh inning and pitched a quick 1-2-3 inning. Dickey's knuckleball floats in around the mid-70-mile-per-hour range, but he's able to reach back -- if it's called reaching back -- and throw one around 80 mph. He got tappers back to the mound two of the times he did it on Sunday.

"His knuckleball was bouncing all over the place," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "Dickey made it look pretty easy."

If Dickey, who has a 2.63 ERA, doesn't get the final spot in the bullpen he could be the first one called up from Class AAA Rochester if needed.

Lefthander Jose Mijares, in a last-ditch attempt to make the club, gave up three hits and one run in the ninth. Part of it wasn't his fault, as Brian Buscher got caught in between bounces on a grounder, leading to an RBI infield hit.

"Mijares gave up a couple rockets but settled in and made a couple pitches when he had to and got out of it," Gardenhire said, "but he got himself into it, too."

Mijares actually lowered his ERA to 9.90. Because of his struggles, Brian Duensing has a chance to make the team as a lefty to take some of the workload away from Craig Breslow.

Buscher and Michael Cuddyer each had two hits on Sunday to lead the Twins' 10-hit attack.

LA VELLE E. NEAL III

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