Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado each hit one of St. Louis’ four homers, and the Cardinals flashed some outfield defense in beating the New York Mets 11-4 on Wednesday for their fifth straight victory.
Harrison Bader homered, drove in three runs and made a timely grab at the center-field fence to help Jon Lester improve to 9-1 against the Mets. Edmundo Sosa also went deep and Goldschmidt had three hits for the Cardinals, who totaled 25 runs in a three-game sweep.
Lester (6-6) allowed three runs — two earned — and six hits in six innings. The 37-year-old lefty struck out seven and walked none.
RHP Jack Flaherty will likely throw about 20-25 pitches Thursday in his first bullpen since straining his right shoulder in late August. St. Louis still hopes the front-line starter (9-2, 3.08 ERA) can offer something in relief this year.
RHP Dakota Hudson (Tommy John surgery) will aim to throw around 75 pitches in a rehab start Friday, his first for Triple-A Memphis after four with Double-A Springfield.
A day off Thursday before opening a three-game home set Friday night versus San Diego. RHP Miles Mikolas (0-2, 5.47 ERA) starts against his former team at 7:15.
The Cardinals are in second place in the NL Central, 12 1/2 behind the first place Brewers. The Cardinals are the number two wild card team, 17 games behind number one Los Angeles, the Padres are one game out, the Reds are a game and a half out, the Phillies are three games out.