Pujols powers Cardinals past Mets; Cardinals win 6-2

The Mets finished up their three game series against the Cardinals today at Citi Field. The Mets were looking to get a three game sweep of the Cardinals to close out their home stand. The Mets didn’t have Jason Bay today as he rested his injured hip and right hamstring. Jason Pridie started for Bay in left field looking to give the Mets some production out of that position.

Jon Niese went to the mound for the Mets looking to keep the good times rolling. He would give up two early runs on an Albert Pujols two-run homerun to put the Mets at an early disadvantage. He would give up another run and two unearned run to put the Mets in a 5-1 hole. Niese went six innings allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits with seven strikeouts. He was pitching great before he served up a walk and then his defense committed two errors that plated two runs. He really struggled in key moments that needed him to come through. He never really allowed his offense to stay in the game.

Jake Westbrook started for the Cardinals looking to get his team a much needed win. Westbrook dominated the Met hitters and was able to get them to swing at pitches early to keep his pitch count down. The only run given up by Westbrook came on a Justin Turner groundout that plated Jose Reyes. Westbrook went eight innings allowing just two runs on four hits. He pitched possibly his best game of the season as he was able to get the Met hitters to ground out often. He was very key to the Cardinals winning today and deserved the win.

The Cardinals would tact on a run another run to extend their lead to 6-2. That would wind being the final score of the game. The Mets will travel to Florida to take on their division rivals the Marlins in a three game series. The Mets will need to win this series to keep pace with the wild card leader the Atlanta Braves.

Game Notes:

• Jason Pridie went 1 for 3 with an RBI single in the 8th inning.
• Jose Reyes went 1 for 4 with a triple and a run scored. And with the triple today Reyes now has 16 triples on the season to lead all of Major League Baseball. Reyes struck out for the first time in 87 at-bats.
• Carlos Beltran went 0 for 3 with a walk in possibly his final home game as a New York Met.
• Lucas Duda went 2 for 3 including a double and a run scored. He hit the ball real hard today and for the first time seemed to see the ball really well.

AP Photo/Frank Franklin II