Starting right fielder Ryan Ludwick paced the Cardinals’ offense, going 2-for-3 with a homer, two runs scored and a team-high three RBIs. Joe Mather, competing for a spot on the roster, went 2-for-3 with an RBI, but the Cardinals lost to the Mets 17-11.

Gary Matthews Jr. and Luis Castillo combined to go 4-for-4 with five runs scored and two RBIs. David Wright hit a two-run homer on a line drive to right field in the first inning, and Matthews added a solo shot in the fifth.

Evan MacLane, started for St. Louis and gave up three runs on three hits in his two innings of work. Adam Ottavino walked three batters and gave up an unearned run in two innings. Knuckleballer Charlie Zink gave up seven runs (five earned) in 1 2/3 innings, but it’s hard to pitch a knuckleball in the wind. The wind was estimated to be blowing at about 18 mph.