Matt Carpenter is gunned down at home plate (MLB photo)
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.
