Noah Syndergaard left the game with an apparent leg injury, while Pete Alonso slammed another home run in the Mets' 8-7 win over the Cardinals. >> Box score
Six things to know from Saturday's game...
1) Syndergaard's night got off to a bumpy start, as Dexter Fowler followed up his three-run shot last night with a solo home run off of Syndergaard in the top of the first inning. He eventually settled down and pitched into the seventh inning, but after allowing a leadoff single, Syndergaard grabbed at the back of his right leg and was pulled from the game. He limped to the dugout with members of the training staff. His injury was later announced as a right hamstring strain.
2) Alonso hit what might be his most impressive homer of the season in the bottom of the first inning, launching a majestic 458-foot bomb that hit the third deck in left field. Alonso's 23rd home run, the second most in the NL, put the Mets right back on top 3-1. Later in the inning, Wilson Ramos slugged an RBI double and Carlos Gomez hit a sac fly, giving the Mets a 5-1 lead after one.
3) The power surge continued for the Mets in the second inning, as J.D. Davis tattooed a ball out to left field for a solo shot, putting the Mets up 6-1. Davis went on to have his first career four-hit night, his best performance of the season.
4) The Cardinals climbed back and cut the Met's lead to 6-3, but Michael Conforto came up clutch in the bottom of the sixth with an RBI single, pushing the Mets' lead to 7-3. They kept the rally going in the sixth, as Todd Frazier worked a bases load walk to force in another run.
5) Robert Gsellman pitched in relief after Syndergaard left the game, which was a good sign for the Mets given he experienced back tightness on Friday, but he wasn't very effective, allowing both inherited runners to score, plus an earned run of his own. Seth Lugo worked in and out of trouble in the eighth with three strikeouts.
6) After blowing one game over two days, taking a blown save Thursday in a suspended game and then getting hit with the loss Friday upon its completion, Edwin Díaz gave up yet another run in the ninth Saturday, but he managed to hold on to earn his 15th save. Kolten Wong dropped a bloop hit into shallow right field but pinch-runner Jack Flaherty was thrown out by Jeff McNeil at the plate to end the game.
Highlights
Video: Pete Alonso demolishes 23rd home run of season
Video: J.D. Davis extends Mets lead with HR
Video: Michael Conforto pads lead with RBI single
What's next
The Mets finish up their four-game series with the Cardinals on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. Jason Vargas (3-3, 3.68 ERA) goes for the Mets, while righty Dakota Hudson (5-3, 3.47 ERA) takes the ball for the Cardinals.