Tyler O’Neill went 3 for 3 and José Rondón had three RBIs, but a rough fifth inning cost the St. Louis Cardinals in a 7-5 loss to the New York Mets on Sunday.
O’Neill continued to build his case for an everyday starting role this season, collecting a double and two singles to increase his spring batting average to .476. He also scored two runs. Rondón, a non-roster invitee who is battling for a spot on the Opening Day roster, put the Cardinals on the board with a two-run single in the first and drove in another run with a sacrifice fly in the third.
Cardinals reliever Jordan Hicks began the fifth inning, making his first appearance in a game — including spring training and the regular season — since June 2019. He lasted just one batter.
Left-hander Garrett Williams replaced Hicks and struggled mightily. The Mets ended up with seven baserunners and five runs in the inning.