Francisco Lindor homered off Ryan Fernandez leading off the ninth inning, lifting the New York Mets past the St. Louis Cardinals 5-4 on Friday night at Citi Field. Lindor’s dramatic walk-off shot marked his 250th career home run and was a significant milestone as it was his first walk-off homer with the Mets.
The game was a rollercoaster, with the Mets showing resilience after nearly squandering a late lead. Brendan Donovan had tied the game for the Cardinals in the top of the ninth with a home run off Huascar Brazobán, but Lindor quickly responded to secure the victory for New York.
St. Louis had taken an early 2-0 lead, thanks to a pair of RBI singles from Pedro Pagés and Jordan Walker. However, the Mets rallied back in the fifth inning. Tyrone Taylor tripled to bring in the Mets' first run, and Juan Soto followed with a tying single, leveling the score at 2-2.
In the sixth, Nolan Arenado's RBI single put the Cardinals back ahead 3-2, but Mark Vientos answered with a home run, tying the game at 3-3. The Mets then pulled ahead in the eighth when Luis Torrens hit an RBI double, making it 4-3.
Despite the late-game drama, Lindor's performance shone brightly. He expressed his excitement after the game, saying, "I hit it with everything I had. So if that one didn’t go, I was going to run out of luck." His home run not only contributed to the win but also made him the 19th active player to reach the 250-home run milestone.
Mets starter David Peterson had a mixed outing, allowing three runs and seven hits over 5 1/3 innings, but he struck out nine batters. The Cardinals' Miles Mikolas also struggled, giving up two runs and five hits in 4 2/3 innings, lowering his ERA from 9.00 to 7.64.
With this victory, the Mets improved to 13-7, maintaining a one-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East. The Phillies had earlier defeated the Miami Marlins 7-2, putting pressure on the Mets to secure a win.
Manager Carlos Mendoza praised Lindor's contributions, emphasizing the importance of his performance at a premium position. "This says that he’s been in the league for a long time having success. It’s not easy, especially playing a premium position the way he does it at an elite level," Mendoza said.
As the game progressed, the intensity only heightened. The Cardinals had their chances, with Arenado making a crucial diving tag on Luisangel Acuña in the eighth inning, showcasing the defensive prowess expected from a 10-time Gold Glove winner.
Both teams displayed their offensive capabilities throughout the night, with the Cardinals striking out 15 times as they faced a determined Mets pitching staff. The Mets' lineup also featured notable performances, including Pete Alonso, who hit his eighth career triple, marking his first since July 2023.
Looking ahead, Kodai Senga is set to start for the Mets on Saturday, with a 2-1 record and an impressive 1.06 ERA. He will face Cardinals left-hander Matthew Liberatore, who holds a 1-1 record with a 3.93 ERA. First pitch for the matchup is scheduled for 4:05 p.m. ET.
As the series continues, the Mets are looking to build on their momentum, with Lindor's heroics serving as a reminder of their potential. The excitement of the game and the competitive nature of the series against the Cardinals highlight the thrilling atmosphere of baseball in April.
