The New York Mets watched a promising start unravel during a four-run third inning and never recovered in a 7-0 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night at Citi Field. Freddy Peralta breezed through the first two innings before St. Louis broke the game open, and New York’s offense never mounted a serious threat as the Mets fell to 29-37 while the Cardinals improved to 36-28.
Peralta appeared in control early, but the third inning quickly turned. Nolan Gorman opened the frame with a walk, Nathan Church followed with a double down the left-field line and JJ Wetherholt lined a two-run single to center for the game’s first runs. After another baserunner reached and Alec Burleson struck out, Jordan Walker doubled home a run and a subsequent groundout plated another to give St. Louis a 4-0 lead.
The Cardinals added two more runs in the fifth when Burleson launched a two-run homer, ending Peralta’s night. The right-hander allowed six runs on six hits across five innings while walking two, hitting two batters and striking out five on 98 pitches.
The Mets’ best chance to change the game came in the fourth. With runners on first and second and two outs, Marcus Semien drove a 401-foot fly ball to center field, but Church settled under it near the warning track to end the threat and preserve the shutout.
Dustin May made sure New York never got back into the game. The Cardinals right-hander scattered four hits over six scoreless innings, striking out six and walking one. Francisco Alvarez singled in his first game back from the injured list, Juan Soto snapped an 0-for-16 skid with a fourth-inning base hit and A.J. Ewing went 2-for-4 to extend his hitting streak to six games.
The Mets and Cardinals continue their series Wednesday at Citi Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. Christian Scott is expected to start for New York against St. Louis right-hander Andre Pallante.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to kyle@fingerlakes1.com.
