The Mets split a doubleheader in St. Louis thanks to some much-needed help from their reserves and bullpen.
Backup catcher Tomas Nido hit a 2-run home run and reserves Kevin Pillar and Jonathan Villar contributed respectively with 2 runs batted in. The Mets used six pitchers to combine for a 7-2 win over the Cardinals, Wednesday night at Busch Stadium.
Earlier in the night, the Mets (12-13) dropped Game 1 to the Cardinals (18-13), 4-1. In the nightcap, manager Luis Rojas decided to sit slumping star shortstop Francisco Lindor. Villar started in place with Jose Peraza getting the start at third base.
The Mets went with reliever Miguel Castro as their “opener” for game two before handing the ball to Jordan Yamamoto in the second inning.
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Carlson put the Cardinals on the board in the bottom half of the 4th with an RBI single. But the Mets countered in the 5th with RBI singles by Pillar and Villar to extend New York’s lead to 6-1. In the top of the 7th, Pillar chipped in again with a fielder’s choice, scoring Pete Alonso for the game’s final run.
Jeurys Familia pitched a scoreless bottom of the 7th to secure the win for New York.
Starting pitcher Johan Oviedo took the loss for the Cardinals, the 6′ 5″, 245 pounder from Cuba allowed four runs and five hits, through four innings of work.
Villar hit his first home run of the season in the top of the fourth, a solo shot to left, which extended New York’s lead to 4-0.
The Mets opened up the scoring in the top of the second inning when Dominic Smith reached home on a wild pitch by Oviedo. Nido then launched a slider into the left center seats for a 2-run homer to make it a 3-0 lead.
Image: Jonathan Villar (1), Tomas Nido – Jeff Roberson | AP Photo
