Mets-Cardinals: New York Loses 5-3 to Drop Series to St. Louis

The Mets jumped out to a 3-0 lead against the Cardinals early, but John Maine only lasted five innings and couldn’t hold it, and the bullpen gave up a go-ahead two-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning as they lost the game 5-3.

Notes

• The Mets offense was held to just four hits, two by Angel Pagan, who went 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI.
• Temporary first baseman Frank Catalanotto went 1-for-3 today with a walk and a run scored.
• Gary Matthews Jr. also went 1-for-3 with a run scored.
• Jose Reyes, David Wright, Jeff Francoeur, and Jason Bay (who didn’t start) combined to go 0-for-12.
• This was the first time the Mets played Adam Wainwright since the 2006 NLCS.
• Maine didn’t allow a run until he gave up a three-run blast in the fifth, but he allowed at least two baserunners each inning. His line: 5IP, 6H, 3ER, 4BB, 4K, 1HR.
• Tobi Stoner made his season debut. He lasted 2.1 innings and was responsible for the other runner who scored on Ryan Ludwick’s two-run shot that came off Ryota Igarashi.

Thoughts

• Maine came out throwing his fastballs at 91-92, and by the end of the game he couldn’t get them above 87 MPH. He didn’t pitch terribly. I think he gets at least one more shot to prove himself, but he really shouldn’t have that long of a leash.
• There wasn’t much this offense could do with Wainwright the way he was pitching tonight. All of the three runs he allowed were technically earned, but without a bad throw by the pitcher to first base, the Mets would have scored at least one fewer run. He was just dealing tonight.
• At this point the Mets should call up Ike Davis soon, like tomorrow, because with Catalanotto in there, even though he did get one hit, that lineup is thin.

Line of the Night

• 2-for-3 by Pagan. This guy is hitting real well lately. If he keeps it up it could go a long way in turning things around for the Mets. If he does, it is realistic to see Reyes start to hit, Bay get hot, and if Davis can do something, this lineup can start helping them win ball games. If Pagan doesn’t hit, the bottom of the Mets lineup continues to act like a buzz saw, and they could continue to flounder.

Up Next

• The Mets go back home to take on the Chicago Cubs, who have the worst record so far of all the teams they’ve played so far this season.
• Monday, April 19: RHP Randy Wells (1-0, 2.92 ERA) vs. LHP Jon Niese (0-1, 6.55 ERA).
• Tuesday, April 20: RHP Carlos Zambrano (1-1, 9.45 ERA) vs. RHP Mike Pelfrey (2-0, 1.29 ERA).
• Wednesday, April 21: RHP Carlos Silva (1-0, 0.69 ERA) vs. LHP Oliver Perez (0-1, 3.75 ERA).

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