ST. LOUIS, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- A three-run shot in the seventh by David Freese put St. Louis ahead Wednesday and the Cardinals improved their playoff hopes by downing the New York Mets 6-5.
The fourth straight victory for the Cardinals moved them within 1 1/2 games of Atlanta for the lead in the National League wild-card chase. The Braves lost to Florida earlier in the evening.
Freese drove in five runs overall, producing a two-run triple in the first. New York then scored four unearned runs in the third to take a 4-3 lead and that was still the score heading into the seventh.
Albert Pujols started the rally with a two-out single off Miguel Batista, who was then replaced on the mound by Danny Herrera.
Lance Berkman singled Pujols to second, after which Pedro Beato came in for Herrera. Freese was the first batter Beato faced and on a 3-1 pitch Freese homered to right.
The comeback made a winner out of Jamie Garcia (13-7), who surrendered the four unearned runs on six hits in 7 2/3 innings.
Herrera (0-1) was charged with the loss after putting the go-ahead run on base.
