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MINNEAPOLIS – When R.A. Dickey takes the mound on Thursday afternoon at Target Field, the forecast temperature of one Celsius will test a man who throws a unique pitch, the knuckleball, which is better suited to climate-controlled, humid conditions. Dickey insists hell be ready. “It would be the same challenge that I would have if I was pitching conventionally and just trying to get my body warm and going,” said Dickey. “As far as the conditions, cold isnt necessarily an enemy to the pitch. If Im throwing a good one it shouldnt matter.” The Blue Jays are armed with an eight-man bullpen, which include long options J.A. Happ, Todd Redmond and Esmil Rogers. Thanks to an off-day Monday and Wednesdays postponement, its all hands on deck should Dickey struggle. “Well know early on, I can guarantee you that,” said manager John Gibbons of whether Dickeys on his game. “Were fine down in the ‘pen so if we have to yank him, if hes not effective at all, weve got plenty of guys down there.” Dickey has gone bad start, good start, bad start over his first three outings. Hes gotten the decision in each, posting a 1-2 record and a 5.30 ERA in the early going. His walk total, which plummeted in the second half of last season compared to the first, has crept back up to 4.8 per nine innings pitched. Hell do his best to keep his body warm, specifically his fingertips because theyre crucial to the knuckleballs grip, as the game goes on. “Whatever thats going to be,” said Dickey. “Ride the bike a little bit in-between innings, come in (the clubhouse,) heating pack, whatever. We have plenty of stuff to keep us warm in-between innings. Well see.” The Blue Jays need a split of the doubleheader to secure a third-consecutive series victory. They took two of three from the Astros last week and two of three from the Orioles in Baltimore over the weekend. LINDS BACK TROUBLE IS BACK Adam Lind wouldnt, or couldnt, predict whether the lower back stiffness he suffered on Tuesday night will land him on the disabled list. “Were just going to try to do what we can to get me on the field as soon as we can,” said Lind. “We cant let it drag on,” said Gibbons. “Hopefully we can get through a couple of days without him. Were playing pretty good right now. We need him. Hes been a big contributor but its day to day.” Linds back seized in the fourth inning of Tuesday nights win as he was running to second base following a walk. He stayed in the game, singling and scoring in the sixth, before being lifted for pinch-hitter Josh Thole in the seventh. He was limping in the clubhouse after the game. It was a struggle to put on his shoes. Since then, Lind has made progress. “A lot,” he said. “Im functionable so hopefully have a good day of treatment all day today, just continue to try to get healthy and hopefully by the weekend Ill be ready to play.” The worst time of day is when Lind wakes up. His back spasms; he begins to move around and it loosens up somewhat. “Thats probably something thats going to linger with him for the rest of his career, I would think,” said Gibbons. “Those backs can be … so there can be times you need to give him a break if he flares up so you can calm it down. Hopefully it doesnt get any worse.” JANSSEN SUFFERS SETBACK Casey Janssen wont throw for the next two or three days with his minor league rehabilitation assignment halted as he tries to work his way back from an abdominal strain. “Its just not right,” said Gibbons. “Its not like its a lot worse but he doesnt feel quite comfortable enough yet to start cutting it loose.” Janssen pitched a scoreless inning for Single-A Dunedin on Tuesday night, allowing a hit and striking out a batter. GOSE RECALLED The Blue Jays recalled Anthony Gose for the second game of the doubleheader, when both clubs are allowed to carry a 26th player on the active roster. NIGHTCAP PITCHING MATC-HUP The Blue Jays will send right-hander Dustin McGowan (1-1, 4.00) to the mound tonight against Twins right-hander Mike Pelfrey (0-2, 7.84). First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 EDT. Randy Johnson Jersey . He just didnt expect them to be this good. 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Goodell said in an ESPN Radio interview Monday (http://es.pn/1gkbauy ) that participants played harder and made the game very competitive. Goodell says he had fun watching the game Sunday and thinks fans did, too.NEW ORLEANS - Trying to stop their longest slide of the season at three games, Washington coach Randy Wittman gave his team a concrete goal: Hold the high-scoring Pelicans under 100 points.The focus on defence produced 18 New Orleans turnovers, seven blocked shots and opportunities for speedy guard John Wall to thrive in transition.Wall finished with 15 points and 12 assists, and the Wizards left New Orleans with a 92-85 victory on Monday night.We got back to our concepts of helping each other, Wall said. We blocked shots. We covered for each other.Paul Pierce scored 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting for Washington, which had five players in double figures. Andre Miller added 12 points, and Marcin Gortat and Kris Humphries each had 10.The Pelicans came in averaging nearly 102 points per game. Washington had allowed more than 100 in four straight, with the only win in that span being a 104-103 victory at Houston.When we dont give up 100 points were pretty much the best team in the league, Pierce said, alluding to Washingtons 13-1 record when holding opponents to 99 or fewer. We cant be a team that allows (opponents) easy opportunities in the paint. We cant be a team that turns the ball over more than we assist. ... So we got back to the basic principles of who we are today. Hopefully itll carry over.Anthony Davis had 21 points and 10 rebounds for New Orleans, which led only once — by a single point in the first 4 minutes of the game.Tyreke Evans, playing despite an illness that kept him out of the teams shootaround earlier in the day, scored 21 points.Pelicans guard Eric Gordon, returning from a left shoulder injury, played for the first time in 21 games, but scored only six points on 2-of-8 shooting in 33 minutes.We were trying to make the right play, but (the Wizards) were covering up our options, Davis said. We have got to get our offence moving faster and push the ball.In the first half, Gordon attempted six shots, while Davis took three.Pelicans coach Monty Williams lamented that Davis 12 shots for the game were too few.We didnt get eenough touches for him because we kept turning the ball over, Williams said.ddddddddddddRyan Anderson scored 14 for New Orleans, including a 3-pointer that pulled the Pelicans to 81-77 with 5:13 left.At that point, New Orleans, which entered 11-4 at home, looked primed to make a run, but stumbled instead.Humphries tipped in Bradley Beals missed jumper, then Pelicans guard Jrue Holiday, who had 13 points, lost the ball on the other end. Humphries struck again, sneaking behind New Orleans defence late in the shot clock for a dunk.Walls jumper made it 89-79, and Washington held on to close out a five-game Western Conference road swing on a winning note.Home teams tend to find ways to make a run. We found a way to hold them off, Miller said. Tonight was a night we are excited about, finishing out the road trip and getting our job done.Wall had 11 points in the first half, when Washington shot 56.4 per cent and led by as many as 10 in the second quarter. Pierces layup gave the Wizards a 52-44 halftime lead.Davis and Evans were the only Pelicans players to score in the third quarter, but their combined 20 points were enough to trim Washingtons lead to 69-64.___TIP-INSWizards: Washington has won seven straight against New Orleans. ... Washingtons only ugly stat was 2 for 10 from 3-point range. Pierce was perfect, though, making both 3s he attempted.Pelicans: Gordon wore a black compression undershirt during the game to help stabilize his left shoulder, which he sprained on Nov. 22, sidelining him for six weeks. ... The Pelicans (17-17) were trying to go two games above .500 for the first time since late November, when they were 7-5.TOUGH TRIPWashington (23-11) finished what might have been its toughest road trip this season at 2-3, starting with the victory at Houston, followed by losses at Dallas, Oklahoma City and San Antonio. Only the loss to the Mavericks wasnt close.The way we competed the last few games, we can deal with that, Wall said.UP NEXTWizards: Host New York on Wednesday.Pelicans: Visit Charlotte on Wednesday. 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