Jeff McNeil and Dominic Smith contributed the offense over Miles Mikolas, while Trevor Williams served as an impromptu starter as the New York Mets beat the St. Louis Cardinals 3-1 on Tuesday night in the start of a doubleheader.
McNeil and Smith each had two hits, including doubles in the third inning. McNeil came very close to a home run, but the ball fouled out during his 12-pitch at-bat off Mikolas in the first inning.
Smith singled in the second and scored on a groundout.
Mikolas (3-2) entered the game with a 1.49 ERA but gave up three runs (two earned) in six innings. He hadn’t allowed that number of runs this season.
The 33-year-old right-hander matched his season low, allowing seven hits in his 106-pitch effort.
Williams pitched four scoreless innings as a substitute for the injured Tylor Megill.
Jake Reed (1-0) walked two of his first three opponents but followed Williams with two shutout innings, making his 2022 debut.
Edwin Diaz allowed two opponents to reach base in the ninth but struck out Harrison Bader for his ninth save.
For the Cardinals, the Venezuelan Juan Yepez 4-0. Puerto Rican Yadier Molina 4-0.
For the Mets, Puerto Rican Francisco Lindor 4-1 with a run scored. Venezuelans Eduardo Escobar 3-2, Luis Guillorme 3-1.
