The Mets got a strong start from Jacob deGrom, but Edwin Díaz gave up two runs in the ninth to blow the save, and rain caused the game to be suspended at 4-4 before the bottom of the ninth. The game will resume Friday at 6:10 p.m. >> Box score
Five things to know from Thursday's game...
1) For the first time since April, Wilson Ramos caught deGrom for a second consecutive start, and the results have been positive for the Mets. DeGrom allowed two runs in seven innings on six hits, no walks and eight strikeouts. He threw a season-high 116 pitches. Matt Carpenter recorded an RBI infield single in the third when he beat the shift, and Paul DeJong tied the game 2-2 in the top of the sixth with a solo homer, but the Mets reclaimed the lead in the bottom half. DeGrom has allowed 10 homers this season, matching his total from all of last season. He was in line for the win until Díaz blew the save by giving up two runs in the ninth.
In his last start with Ramos, deGrom had 10 strikeouts and allowed two runs in six innings but took a tough-luck loss. Thursday's outing marked the 33rd time since the start of the 2018 season deGrom allowed two or fewer runs. The Mets were 16-16 over the first 32 such starts.
2) Díaz came in for the ninth after a nine-minute rain delay -- the tarp came out briefly before it was rolled up and the grounds crew worked on the infield. He issued a leadoff walk, got the next two batters out and then gave up consecutive RBI hits by Kolten Wong and Harrison Bader, blowing the save as the Cardinals tied the game 4-4. The tarp came out before the bottom of the ninth and the game was suspended.
3) The Pete Alonso-Dom Smith duo struck again on Thursday. After Alonso's one-out ground-rule double in the sixth which got stuck under the tarp, Smith drove Alonso in with a single to shallow center, putting the Mets back in front 3-2. Smith was previously hitting .190 this season with runners in scoring position.
4) A Todd Frazier bloop single and a Ramos walk loaded the bases for Amed Rosario, who made it 4-2 with a sacrifice fly. The inning ended, however, with Frazier getting thrown out at third on the play. Rosario has 36 RBI this season.
5) Michael Conforto initially gave the Mets a 2-1 lead in the third inning with a two-run homer to right-center, his 13th of the season. That extended the Mets' streak (and franchise record) of home games with a homer to 17.
Highlights
Video: Conforto 2-run home run in 3rd gives Mets the lead
Video: Dom Smith gives Mets 3-2 lead
What's next
After the completion of the suspended game, the Mets continue their four-game set against the Cardinals Friday at 7:10 p.m. on SNY. LHP Steven Matz and RHP Daniel Ponce de Leon are the probable starters.