Cardinals Recap: New York Mets escape with 18-inning win

After 18 innings, the New York Mets pushed across the deciding tallies, sending the St. Louis Cardinals to a 3-1 loss on Sunday night at Busch Stadium.

With the bases loaded in the top of the 18th, New York shortstop Ruben Tejada came through against right-hander Carlos Martinez, who made his second relief appearance of the season, plating a run on a deep sac fly to right-center field.

That gave New York a 2-1 edge that eventually grew to 3-1 when a squeeze bunt allowed Curtis Granderson to score a much-needed insurance run. As a team, the Mets were an atrocious 1-for-26 with men in scoring position – yet, somehow left St. Louis with a ‘W’.

St. Louis (58-34) got a solid start from left-hander Tim Cooney, who tossed 5 2/3 innings of three-hit, shutout baseball. He struck out seven and walked four, doing his part in front of the home faithful.

His counterpart, left-hander Jon Niese, was even more impressive, striking out three and scattering five hits, pitching 7 2/3 innings of scoreless ball in the process.

The Cardinals trailed 1-0 heading into the bottom of the 13th inning, when second baseman Kolten Wong took New York closer Jeurys Familia deep for a solo shot, tying the game with his 10th homer of the season.

With the loss, St. Louis saw Chicago draw closer in the NL Central, but still maintain a 4 1/2 game lead over the second-place Pittsburgh Pirates in the division.

What’s Next:

St. Louis will head to Chicago to take on the Chicago White Sox this week at U.S. Cellular Field.

In the opener, Martinez was originally slated to take the ball, but instead, right-hander Michael Wacha will oppose Chicago southpaw Carlos Rodon Tuesday night.

First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. CT.

Next: ICYMI: Multiple players set to return soon for Cards