PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. • Harrison Bader’s third hit, a run-scoring single, highlighted a four-run fifth inning as the Cardinals continued to pummel New York Mets pitching. The inning was punctuated by Dexter Fowler’s first extra-base hit as a Cardinal, a two-run double.
Greg Garcia, who had been hitless in 11 at-bats before the game, got his second single in the inning and also stole a base. Bader's RBI was his fourth of the game.
The Mets scored once in their fifth, which could have been a bigger inning but for a sprawling catch by Magneuris Sierra and a leaping catch by Patrick Wisdom at third base.