ST. LOUIS, May 18 (UPI) -- David Eckstein had three hits, two runs and two RBI Thursday afternoon as St. Louis beat the New York Mets, 6-3.
Scott Spiezio, playing in place of slugger Albert Pujols, had two hits and drove in two runs; Scott Rolen had one run, one hit and one RBI; and John Rodriguez had one run and one hit for the Cardinals (26-15), who have won four of their last six contests to go 1 1/2 games ahead of the Mets for baseball's best record.
Winning pitcher Jason Marquis (5-4) yielded three runs and four hits in 7 2/3 innings.
Carlos Beltran hit a two-run homer; Jose Valentin had two runs, one hit and one RBI; and Carlos Delgado had two hits for the Mets (24-16), who have dropped three of their last four games.
Loser Jose Lima (0-3) was tagged for five runs and seven hits in 4 2/3 innings with one walk and three strikeouts.
