Both the New York Mets and San Francisco Giants, who entered play on Thursday tied with the Cardinals in the N.L. Wild Card race, won to gain a half-game lead over St. Louis in the standings.

There was plenty of drama for the Mets who will play the Phillies seven times over their final ten games.  Jose Reyes connected off Philadelphia Phillies closer Jeanmar Gomez in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game at 6-6.  Asdrubal Cabrera then hit a three-run drive during an 11th-inning rally to give the Mets a dramatic 9-8 win over the Phillies.

Angel Pagan’s single broke a scoreless tie in the eighth and Jeff Samardzija struck out nine in seven innings for the Giants, who beat the Padres 2-1.  The Giants suffered a big blow when Johnny Cueto, who was forced out of his start Tuesday night with a strained groin.  The club says he is improving and will try to throw on Friday.