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Knuckleballer R.A. Dickey can pitch the Toronto Blue Jays to a three-game series sweep over the Houston Astros Thursday in the finale of the midweek set at Rogers Centre. Its the eighth start of Dickeys career against the Astros, who touched him for five runs on seven hits in six innings of their last matchup in Toronto last season. Dickey did not get a decision in the game, which the Blue Jays won, 12-6. Hes split a pair of decisions in two starts against other opposition thus far in 2014, allowing six runs in a 9-2 loss at Tampa Bay and going 6 2/3 scoreless innings in a 4-0 defeat of the New York Yankees. Dickey won the National Leagues Cy Young Award with the New York Mets in 2012, then was acquired by the Blue Jays in the offseason and began 2013 with consecutive losses before ultimately turning things around and winning 14 of 27 decisions across 34 starts. Houston counters with lefty Dallas Keuchel, who took a 5-1 loss in his first appearance of the season on Saturday against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. He gave up four runs and eight hits in five innings of the outing. Keuchel was very effective against Toronto in two meetings in 2013, getting a win and no-decision while allowing six runs and 14 hits in 14 1/3 innings. On Wednesday, Brett Lawrie stroked a two-run homer to help the Blue Jays to a 7-3 victory over the Astros. Melky Cabrera, Maicer Izturis, and Dioner Navarro each supplied two hits for the Blue Jays, who have won three of their last four. Brandon Morrow (1-1) allowed three runs on five hits with nine strikeouts in six innings to earn the win. Alex Presley hit a two-run homer and Jose Altuve tripled in Houstons third straight loss. Starter Lucas Harrell (0-2) gave up five runs -- four earned -- with three walks over 4 1/3 frames. Toronto was 4-3 against the Astros last season. Clay Matthews Jersey . The (11-11-4) Jets are seventh in the Central Division with 26 points. Fifth place Dallas and sixth-seeded Nashville also have 26 points, but the Stars have three games in hand on Winnipeg while Nashville has two. Brett Favre Packers Jersey . Kamloops, B.C., the host city of this years Tim Hortons Brier, is where he won his first Canadian mens curling crown in 1996. http://www.packersrookiestore.com/Packers-Dexter-Williams-Jersey/ . Sweeting scored two in the first and three in the second before Strong (4-4) got two back in the fourth. Sweeting then scored three in the fifth, two in the sixth and one in the seventh to grab a commanding 9-2 lead. Reggie White Womens Jersey . - The Oakland Athletics say they are stopping negotiations to extend their lease at the Coliseum. Darnell Savage Jr. Jersey . -- On any given day here at his companys Silicon Valley headquarters, Vivek Ranadive is ready to compete against any employee who wants to challenge him to any contest.MINNEAPOLIS - The Cleveland Indians hope struggling Carlos Santana and Nick Swisher continue to hit like they did Tuesday night. Having Danny Salazar pitch like he did wont hurt either. Santana homered among his season high-tying four hits and Salazar won in his first start in more than two months as the Indians beat the Minnesota Twins 8-2. Cleveland won for the fourth time in six games since the All-Star break. Minnesota has lost four of five. Santana, 3 for 18 coming in, hit a no-doubt solo shot to right field in the fifth to put the Indians up 4-1. He also had two doubles and a bunt single to beat a defensive shift to up his average to .214. "When hes going good, it makes us a whole different lineup," said manager Terry Francona. Swisher had his first three-hit game of the year. "It seems like me and him kind of been riding the same boat all year long," said Swisher, who entered the game hitless in his previous 10 at-bats and is now hitting .215. "Both of us popping out at the same time, same game is nice." Closer Cody Allen struck out pinch-hitter Chris Parmelee with a runner on third in a two-run game in the eighth inning before Cleveland scored four times in the ninth to negate a save opportunity when Carlos Carrasco pitched the ninth. Minnesotas Brian Dozier had three hits, including his career-high 19th home run in the seventh inning. Making his first appearance in the majors since May 15, Salazar (2-4) scattered six hits and allowed one earned run in five-plus innings. He walked three and struck out six. After eight starts with the Indians, Salazar was sent to Triple-A Columbus to work on his mechanics and build up arm strength to last deeper into games. He went 3-6 with a 4.02 ERA in 10 starts there, but was 2-1 with a 2.16 ERA in his last four outings while looking more like the right-hander who had a 3.12 ERA in 10 late-season starts for Cleveland last season. "I thought he looked confident. He was a little but more aggressive in his delivery," Francona said. "That was more of the stuff we had come to appreciate last year. If hes going to pitch like that and move forward with it, what a shot in the arm for us." He was erratic as the Twins often worked hiim deep into counts, but Francona said Salazar was able to "reach back for his best stuff" and emerge relatively unscathed as Minnesotas clutch hitting continued to be absent.dddddddddddd Minnesota was 0 for 8 with runners in scoring position and is 4 for 41 since the All-Star break. "I dont think you can point to anything," Dozier said. "To be a good offensive team you need the total package. Thats getting guys on base and driving them in." Twins starter Yohan Pino (1-3) was sent to Triple-A Rochester after his July 10 start largely to remain on somewhat of a routine during the All-Star break. In his lone start with the Red Wings, last Thursday, Pino allowed five runs and walked seven in five innings. Yet, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire didnt express much concern Monday. "He told me he was just working on a few things, so well leave it at that." Pino allowed seven hits and four earned runs in 6 1-3 innings. He struck out five and didnt issue a walk. A double, hit by pitch and single loaded the bases for Cleveland with no outs in the second. Yan Gomes struck out looking before David Murphy hit a 2-run single to right. A sacrifice fly by Mike Aviles made it 3-0. Salazar issued three straight walks to load the bases with one out in the bottom of the inning, before striking out Sam Fuld and Danny Santana. "I was trying to be too quick and I had to settle myself down with my delivery," Salazar said. Indians shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera missed the game with back spasms that forced him out of Mondays game. Hes considered day to day. NOTES: Cleveland optioned right-handed reliever C.C. Lee to Columbus to clear room on its roster for Salazar. ... Cleveland RHP Trevor Bauer (4-4, 3.89 ERA) is scheduled to face Minnesota RHP Anthony Swarzak (1-0, 4.34 ERA), who will take Kyle Gibsons start Wednesday afternoon. Gibson was scratched because of a stiff back. ... Dozier was named the Twins 2014 Heart and Hustle Award winner by the MLB Players Alumni Association. The award honours active players who demonstrate a passion for the game and best embody the values, spirit and tradition of the game. The winner from the 30 team nominees will be announced Nov. 18. ' ' '