The New York Mets threw out the potential tying run at the plate in the ninth inning to hold off the St. Louis Cardinals 3-2 on Wednesday night. Shortstop Ruben Tejada cut down Matt Carpenter for the second out of the ninth on a strong relay from center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis. Mike Matheny challenged the call but the replay showed catcher Travis d’Arnaud getting Carpenter with a sweep tag near his armpit.
Carpenter had four hits and Yadier Molina added three for the Cardinals, but Jhonny Peralta’s hitless streak reached 21 at-bats. Peralta popped out with runners at second and third in the eighth before pinch-hitter Matt Adams flied out to end the inning.
Jonathan Niese improved to 4-1 in six career starts against St. Louis. Michael Wacha (2-2) set career highs with 10 strikeouts and five walks in the shortest outing as he went just four innings.