Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets built on the magic from the previous night’s rally, taking the second straight game against the Cardinals by a score of 3-0 at Busch Stadium on Tuesday night. The Mets run of dominant starting pitching continued as Chris Bassitt stymied a formidable Cardinal lineup much like rotation mate Max Scherzer did the night before. Timely hitting by James McCann and Starling Marte provided just enough offense needed to edge St. Louis. Fireballer and converted starter, Jordan Hicks, started for St. Louis but exited early with a right wrist contusion as a result of a Dominic Smith comebacker.
Bassitt and Hicks each put up zeros the first two innings. In the top of the third, Jeff McNeil and McCann started things off with back to back doubles, the latter driving in the former for a quick 1-0 lead. Brandon Nimmo followed with a walk before Hicks was pulled for reliever Andre Pallante. Marte added a two-bagger of his own to drive in McCann to double the lead.
Bassitt matched zeros with relievers Pallante, Nick Wittgren, and Packy Naughton through six innings with no offensive threats from either side. Bassitt went six innings for the fourth time in four starts. He allowed no runs, two hits, three walks, and six strikeouts on 94 pitches, lowering his 2022 ERA to 2.25. Drew Smith took over for the Mets in the seventh inning and worked around a Paul DeJong hit and a few deep flyouts before striking out Brendan Donovan.
Tensions peaked in the top of the eighth after Cardinals reliever Kodi Whitley hit Pete Alonso in the helmet with a fastball. Alonso rose to his feet and proceeded to first but not without a few words and glances towards the opposition. Manager Buck Showalter made his way to the infield as the benches and bullpens emptied but avoided any further confrontation. Both clubs were formally warned by the umpire crew. Adam Ottavino worked a solid bottom of the eighth inducing a soft liner off Nolan Arenado’s bat, stranding Tommy Edman.
Looking to add insurance to their 2-0 lead, the Mets offense reignited in the top of the ninth off of reliever Aaron Brooks. After Smith grounded out, Mark Canha and Jeff McNeil barreled up back to back singles to put runners on the corners. McCann whiffed for the second out, Nimmo worked a walk to load the bases. Starling Marte came up with ducks on the pond and was aptly drilled in the ribs to drive in the third run of the game, not without more ire from Marte and the Mets dugout. Francisco Lindor grounded out sharply to first to end the further threat.
After having both Seth Lugo and Edwin Diaz warm up before the bottom of the ninth, Showalter gave Diaz the nod for the second straight night. Diaz promptly walked Dylan Carlson on four pitches, inducing a quick conference at the mound. Diaz collected himself and induced three consecutive outs securing New York’s fourth shutout of the season and clinching their sixth straight series win.
Co-Players of the Game: Chris Bassitt, James McCann
In his fourth start, Chris Bassitt continued his deceptive ways mixing 93 mph fastballs with 69 mph curveballs, and everything in between. Bassitt continues to prove a welcomed addition to this 2022 Mets rotation.
James McCann represented the nine spot with honors going 3-for-4, driving in the team’s first run.
On Deck:
The Mets wrap up their series in St. Louis with a Wednesday, 1:10 p.m. matinee featuring former Met, Steven Matz (2-1, 5.27) v. Carlos Carrasco who’s coming off an impressive start in which he pitched into the 8th inning in a win against the Giants. The Mets will hope for the sweep before a well-deserved day off on Thursday before they return home to host a weekend series against the Phillies.
