Mets 5, Cardinals 0
NEW YORK -- Right-hander Jacob deGrom retired the final 23 batters he faced Thursday and combined on a two-hitter with right-hander Jeurys Familia as the New York Mets beat the St. Louis Cardinals 5-0 at Citi Field to earn a split of a four-game series.
DeGrom gave up a one-out single to Cardinals third baseman Matt Carpenter in the first inning before completely shutting down a St. Louis lineup that had scored 19 runs in the two previous games. The reigning National League Rookie of the Year struck out a season-high 11 and didn't get to a three-ball count on a single batter.
DeGrom seemed to be getting stronger as the game went on -- he threw just 26 pitches in his final three innings, including five in the eighth -- but, with his pitch count at 104, manager Terry Collins lifted deGrom for pinch hitter Curtis Granderson leading off the eighth.
The move worked out as Granderson drew a walk to begin a rally that ended with a three-run homer by first baseman Lucas Duda. It was the second homer of the game for Duda, who hit a solo homer in the sixth and also scored the Mets' first run in the fourth on a single by right fielder John Mayberry.
The pursuit of the 39th one-hitter in Mets history ended when Familia allowed a two-out single to second baseman Kolten Wong.
Cuddyer had three hits for the Mets (24-18).
Left-hander Jamie Garcia took the loss in his season debut for the Cardinals (27-14). Garcia, who was activated from the disabled list before the game, allowed two runs on five hits and five walks while striking out three over seven innings. It was his first major league appearance since June 20.
NOTES: To make room for LHP Jaime Garcia, the Cardinals optioned RHP Sam Tuivailala to Triple-A Memphis. Tuivailala was 0-1 with a 6.00 ERA in three appearances for St. Louis. ... Cardinals OF Randal Grichuk, who doubled twice and tripled Tuesday and doubled and tripled Wednesday, is the first St. Louis player to double and triple in consecutive games since Red Schoendienst did it June 23-24, 1952. ... Mets RHP Dillon Gee (right groin strain) was scheduled to make his second rehab start Thursday night for Class A St. Lucie. RHP Vic Black (right shoulder tendinitis, neck herniation) and RHP Bobby Parnell (Tommy John surgery) also were expected to pitch Thursday for St. Lucie before moving their rehabs to Double-A Binghamton. ... Mets SS Wilmer Flores batted second for the first time this season. He has batted in six spots in 36 starts.