The New York Mets capitalized on an uncharacteristic error by Gold Glove third baseman Nolan Arenado to rally for five runs with two outs in the ninth inning of a 5-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Monday night.
Pinch-hitter Dominic Smith hustled for an infield single that drove in two pivotal runs, Brandon Nimmo capped the outburst with a two-run homer.
Max Scherzer struck out 10 over seven innings of two-hit ball in a scoreless duel with Cardinals starter Miles Mikolas. A two-run single by Tyler O’Neill off Trevor May (1-0) put St. Louis ahead in the eighth.
Giovanny Gallegos (0-1) got tagged with the loss.
The Cardinals recalled INF Brendan Donovan from Triple-A Memphis and optioned OF Lars Nootbaar to their top farm club.
Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong received his second of two scheduled days off. The 28-year-old DeJong is stuck in an 0-for-11 slump with five strikeouts in that span.
Mets RHP Chris Bassitt (2-1, 3.00 ERA) faces Cardinals RHP Jordan Hicks (1-1, 1.29) on Tuesday night, 5:50 with the pregame and the first pitch at 6:45.
The Cardinals and Brewers are still tied for first place, the Pirates are a game and a half out, the Cubs are 2 and a half out.