Mets Snap Struggles With Big Game Against Cardinals Ace

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The New York Mets beat the St. Louis Cardinals Tuesday 8-2, escalating Cardinals pitcher Adam Wainwright’s season ERA from 1.94 to 2.23. This win snapped a series of low-scoring, mostly losing games by the Mets, dating back to early July.

Jeff Francoeur, who had been struggling mightily—he has hit only .164 in July—had the first big hit, a three-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Jose Reyes followed that with a two-run shot of his own in the seventh.

Jon Niese tossed his 10th quality start of the season, allowing one run or less for the ninth time in 18 starts. Francisco Rodriguez closed the game, pitching a perfect ninth inning.

The Cardinals bats were not quiet—they managed 10 hits in the game—however they pushed across only two runs in perhaps Wainwright’s worst outing of the year so far. Wainwright surrendered six earned runs on six hits and three walks, while striking out six in five innings of work.

From July 6 to July 25, a span of 16 games, the Mets averaged only two runs a game while batting .212 as a team. In that span, they went 4-12, being shut out five times.

EDIT: And the very next night, the Mets own ace, Johan Santana, gives up 13 hits and seven runs.