Dylan Carlson’s two-run triple capped a five-run fourth inning as the Cardinals came from behind to beat the Mets 10-5 Wednesday.
Jake Woodford (1-0) allowed a run in two-plus innings of relief.
Starter Steven Matz worked four innings, allowing four runs on six hits and six strikeouts.
Mets starter Carlos Carrasco (1-1) gave up a season-high eight runs, seven earned, in a season-low 3 2/3 innings.
The Mets’ hit-by-pitch frustrations boiled over Wednesday when reliever Yoan López threw a pitch near Nolan Arenado’s head, sparking a benches-clearing brawl that led to Arenado’s ejection. Mets hitter J.D. Davis left in the top of the eighth inning after being hit in the left foot by a pitch from Génesis Cabrera, the major league-leading 19th hit-by-pitch for the Mets this season — including three Tuesday night against St. Louis.
New York appeared to retaliate a half-inning later against Arenado, who reached four times and drove in three runs. López zipped a 94 mph fastball near his head, and Arenado began yelling for López to “do it again.” The benches and bullpens cleared, and the teams pushed and shoved near home plate.
Cardinals first base coach Stubby Clapp seemed to tackle Mets star Pete Alonso near the center of the melee and Clapp was ejected.
RHP Dakota Hudson (1-1, 3.95 ERA) starts the first of a four-game series Thursday night against the Arizona Diamondbacks, 5:50 with the pregame and the first pitch at 6:45 on KIRX.