Burleson and Contreras provide the offense with home runs while Mikolas does his tightrope walk effectively
First pitch: 6:11pm CST at Citi Field in Queens
Top 1: Donovan grounded out, Contreras walked, and Nootbaar hit into a double play
Bottom 1: Nimmo doubled, Marte singled, Lindor flied out into foul ground, and then Miles Mikolas did his Houdini act and pulled a double play rabbit out of his top hat, which meant that Pete Alonso grounded into a double play, Crawford to Gorman to Goldschmidt.
Top 2: This inning was of great portent for the visiting Redbirds, as their scoring was three. This foreboding meant that the noble Arenado was hit by a pitch! But his bodily sacrifice yielded no outs, and plenty of opportunity for the limping offense. Which is coming alive after some adjustments by the master of ceremonies, Oliver Marmol. After Nolan the elder reached the first base, the patient paladin Goldschmidt took first base upon declining all offerings from the Metropolitan pitcher.
Lo and Behold! Young lord Burleson was upon the scene. Veteran presences at first base, as well as the second base keystone. At one point, I would not have wanted to see him in this situation, but I suppose all pressure was off with no one retired. Well, well, well, Burly ended up alleviating all feels by doing the best possible thing in that situation, absolutely jacking a baseball deep into center field right. 3-0 Cardinals!
The next part is highlighted only by a sir Crawford single. Gorman grounded out, Siani struck out, and Donovan retired with another ground out.
Bottom 2: to start it off, J.D. Martinez singled to Nootbaar, but then McNeil and old buddy Bader grounded out, and it ended with Baty flailing away at thin air.
Top 3: Willson! You did it again. Contreras home run! Solo RBI, 4-0 Cardinals. Nootbaar then proceeded to strike out, Arenado tapped out to the pitcher, and Goldschmidt still trying to break out, hit a sinking liner towards old pal Harrison Bader, who made a fantastic forward diving catch. Hopefully Paul can turn it around soon, he’s at least not quite as bad as he was earlier in the season.
Bottom 3: Again the Mets squander a hit from their first batter, wasting a ground rule double from Nido.
Top 4: Burleson struck out to start things off, then Gorman grounded out to second base, and Crawford flied out to center.
Bottom 4: Alonso robbed on an amazing diving catch by Siani! Martinez struck out and McNeil flied out.
Top 5: Cardinals retired 1-2-3
Bottom 5: Miles Mikolas continued his shut out game by retiring Bader and Baty, but it ended with a Nido home run to center! 4-1 Cardinals.
Top 6: Goldschmidt had a line drive single, Burleson and Gorman both drew walks, but the Cardinals were somehow unable to score.
Bottom 6: This would be the last inning the Mets would score. After Starling Marte lined out, Francisco Lindor doubled! Winn probably chuckled from the bench as Alonso did nothing again, two outs. But, J.D. Martinez was due for an RBI. J.D. doubled home Lindor by hitting it sharply to right field. 4-2 Cardinals. At this point Marmol played it safely and brought in JoJo Romero to throw a blanket on it.
Top & Bottom 7: uneventful
Top 8: Arenado, Goldschmidt, and Burleson were retired with ease
Bottom 8: Kittredge entered the foray and retired Marte, Lindor, and Alonso
Top 9: 1-2-3
Bottom 9: Helsley in for the save with 2 strikeouts! Cards win 4-2
Bullets
- Burleson and Romero were the heroes by WPA
- Pete Alonso 0-4
- Burleson’s first home run since August 3rd, 2023
- Burleson only had 2 doubles prior, in 51 at bats
- The Mets out-hit the Cardinals both in total hits and total bases
- Both teams left 5 men on base
- Burleson’s statline escalated to 90 wRC+
- Mikolas ascended to 4.77 FIP
- Romero is at 2.48 FIP and a 1.46 ERA, Helsley is at 2.0 FIP and .97 xERA, and Kittredge is at 1.78 FIP with a .82 ERA!
Condensed game for for 4/26/24
The Cardinals take on the Mets for game 2 in this standard 3 game series in NYC at 3:05pm CST. This is a Sonny Gray start today! Opposed by Houser with a 7.45 ERA. Hopefully it’ll be a fun won and chicken dinner will be served for all.