Thursday’s Game Report: Mets 7, Cardinals 6 (10 innings)
By Rob Rains
After fighting back to tie the game in the ninth, and take the lead in the 10th, it took only two pitches, and one swing, from Pete Alonso to ruin the Cardinals’ day.
Alonso hit the second pitch from Giovanny Gallegos for a two-run homer to give Mets the walkoff win in New York, their third win in the four-game series.
Trailing 5-4, the Cardinals tied the game in the ninth on an RBI infield single by Paul Goldschmidt then took the lead in the 10th after Dylan Carlson singled to advance the ghost runner to third and Albert Pujols hit into a double play.
It was the Cardinals’ first extra-inning game of the season.
Here is how the game broke down:
At the plate: Goldschmidt drove in four runs in the game. He hit his fifth homer of the year in the third, doubled in a run in the fifth and hit a sacrifice fly in the seventh before his game-tying RBI in the ninth … Juan Yepez also homered, his third of the year, one of his three hits … Harrison Bader also had three hits while Brendan Donovan reached base three times on two singles and a walk.
On the mound: Dakota Hudson allowed four runs in 4 2/3 innings, including one run which scored after he left the game and was relieved by Nick Wittgren. Wittgren has allowed the last four runners he has inherited to score after allowing only one of nine inherited runners to score in his first 17 appearances … Andre Pallante worked two scoreless innings and Genesis Cabrera and Ryan Helsley one each to get the game to the 10th … The walkoff homer was the second allowed by Gallegos in his career.
Key stat: During his 12-game hitting streak, Goldschmidt has gone 22-of-50, a .440 average, with 10 doubles, four homers and 16 RBIs. His 10 doubles are the most he has hit in any month since hitting 11 in July of 2014.
Worth noting: The Cardinals placed Tyler O’Neill on the injured list after the game and said they will promote top prospects Nolan Gorman and Matthew Liberatore, who will start on Saturday night. Another roster move will be made on Friday to make room for Liberatore. Jack Flaherty was moved to the 60-day injured list, but that will not delay his return when he is ready to pitch … The Texas Rangers announced Thursday that former Cardinal Matt Carpenter had been released. He had been playing in Triple A
Looking ahead: Adam Wainwright will get the start on Friday night in the opener of the three-game series in Pittsburgh. The game will be broadcast on Apple TV.
Follow Rob Rains on Twitter @RobRains
