The New York Mets (34-37) were defeated by the St. Louis Cardinals (36-34) by a score of 4-3 Sunday afternoon at Citi Field. Met-killer Paul DeJong slammed a go-ahead home run in the top of the 8th inning to give the Cardinals the only lead they’d need.

Pitching

Jason Vargas started for the Mets and, with the exception of one pitch to Paul Goldschmidt, was solid. Over four innings, Vargas allowed three runs (two earned) on one hit (a two-run home run by Goldschmidt) and three walks, while striking out four.

Vargas left the game in the fourth inning because of a injury, and considering Noah Syndergaard just took a trip to the Injured List, Mets fans held their breath until it was revealed that he only left with a calf cramp.

Wilmer Font relieved the veteran lefty and was excellent, pitching three no-hit innings, allowing only one walk while striking out three.

Chris Flexen, sporting increased velocity, came in with the game tied 3-3 in the top of the 8th inning. He got Matt Carpenter to line out for the first out, but then was bitten by notorious Met-killer Paul DeJong who pulled a hanging slider over the left field fence. After allowing the go-ahead home run, Flexen struck out the next two batters to end the inning. Flexen ended up with the loss and is now 0-3.

Newly acquired Brooks Pounders came in to pitch the top of the ninth with the Mets down by one run, and impressed with a clean inning. He allowed only one hit, sporting a 88-89 mph slider with sharp movement.

Offense

Newly-minted leadoff hitter Dominic Smith started off on the right foot, belting a double to begin the game. He was followed up by J.D. Davis (who had four hits Saturday night) who hit a single to center, scoring Smith from second and making it a 2-1 game. The Mets were able to get runners on first and third with two outs, but Adeiny Hechavarria flew out to end the inning and they were unable to capitalize further.

With two outs in the third inning, Robinson Cano doubled to right before being brought home by a Hechavarria single, who then advanced to second base on the throw home by Cardinals center fielder Harrison Bader. Now in scoring position, he would score easily when Juan Lagares knocked a single of his own, giving the Mets a 3-2 lead. Unfortunately, a good relay from Dexter Fowler to Paul Goldschmidt to Paul DeJong cut down Lagares at second base to end the inning.

The Mets were held in check for a while, but after Paul DeJong homered in the top of the 8th inning to give the Cards the lead, it was time for them to kick it into high gear. Ace-turned-reliever Carlos Martinez mowed down Pete Alonso, Robinson Cano, and Adeiny Hechavarria to end the 8th.

With the bottom of the order coming up in the ninth inning, Mickey Callaway dipped into his deep bench as many starters had the day off. First, he pinch-hit for Juan Lagares with Jeff McNeil who struck out. He then pinch-hit for Tomas Nido with Todd Frazier who, after working the count full, flailed at a slider that was more than a foot outside, but was somehow able to dunk it over Goldschmidt at first for a hit.

With the tying run on first and one out, Wilson Ramos came up to bat. While the Mets had just breathed new life into the game for Mets fans, we were all quickly punched in the gut when after falling down 0-2, Ramos grounded into a double play to end the game. Even with the second baseman bobbling the ball on the turn, Ramos was thrown out by 20 feet. It was the ninth time he has grounded into a double play this season.

Every starter except Tomas Nido and Jason Vargas tallied a hit in today’s game. Dominic Smith went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk, and Juan Lagares went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a stolen base.

On Deck

The Mets begin a very important road trip tomorrow, beginning in Atlanta. They send Zack Wheeler (5-4, 4.87 ERA) to face off against Pete Alonso’s main competitor for NL Rookie of the Year, Mike Soroka (7-1, 1.92 ERA). First pitch at SunTrust Park is scheduled for 7:20 PM ET.