Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo used the long ball to power the visiting New York Mets to a 9-3 victory Friday over the St. Louis Cardinals and snap a two-game losing streak as well.
In the opener of a three-game set, the Mets pounded out 17 hits, with 10 batters getting at least one. Nimmo went 3-for-3 with two walks and three runs scored, including a solo home run. Alonso hit a two-run homer as part of a 2-for-5 night.
Juan Soto had two hits, his fourth two-hit game in the last six, and Jesse Winker finished 2-for-3 for the Mets. New York’s lumber chased Cardinals starter Sonny Gray (3-1) in the fifth inning.
Mets right-hander Clay Holmes (4-0) survived a shaky start. In six innings, he allowed three runs, all of which came in the first three innings. He scattered eight hits, struck out three and walked none while overcoming a 100.5 mph shot off Alec Burleson’s bat that hit the back of his lower right leg in the second inning.
Masyn Winn went 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI for St. Louis, and Willson Contreras went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Gray lasted just 4 1/3 innings, his shortest start of the season. He allowed six runs (four earned) on nine hits, walked three and struck out six.
It was the third time around in the lineup that did in Gray, with an error by first baseman Contreras contributing to a four-run fifth.
Trailing 3-2, Soto started the rally, doubling to right field on a 114.3 mph liner with one out. Alonso’s eighth homer of the season, a blast to center, put the Mets ahead.
Singles by Nimmo and Winker ended Gray’s night. Reliever Chris Roycroft induced a bouncing grounder from Mark Vientos. However, Contreras dropped shortstop Wynn’s throw from second. That miscue thwarted a double play and let Nimmo score from second. Vientos came home on a base hit by Francisco Alvarez, who went 3-for-5 and drove in three.
Nimmo’s seventh homer of the season came off John King to start a two-run seventh inning.
Holmes, Jose Butto and Ryne Stanek allowed just two St. Louis hits and a walk in the final six innings.
–Field Level Media
