Alec Burleson, Cards look to extend streaks vs. Mets

The St. Louis Cardinals enjoyed a stress-free victory over the New York Mets on Tuesday.

The Cardinals hope to combine timely hitting, strong defense and stellar pitching again Wednesday night when they visit the Mets for the second game of their three-game series.

St. Louis, which will attempt to match a season high with its sixth straight victory. has won three of the four meetings with the Mets so far. Following consecutive tight wins over the Cincinnati Reds to complete a three-game sweep, the Cardinals scored six runs off Freddy Peralta and cruised to a 7-0 win in the series opener.

Alec Burleson, who is hitting .389 in a nine-game hitting streak, belted a two-run homer and drove in three runs, and Ivan Herrera and Nathan Church collected three hits apiece. Church's effort followed a brief stint on the injured list due to a sprained left shoulder, and he also made a basket catch while going against the wind in center field on Marcus Semien's drive in the fourth.

"Coming off an off day and going to the Mets and giving them a shutout, it's a great start," Church said. "So, trying to get another one tomorrow."

Jordan Walker also is coming off an RBI double and is up to 48 RBIs this season, three shy of his career high set in 2023 when he batted .276 in 117 games as a rookie.

New York is 7-4 in its past 11 games but turned in a dud after rookie Carson Benge went 5-for-5 in Sunday's 7-3 win at San Diego. The Mets were held to five hits and lead the majors with 21 games of being held to five hits or fewer this season.

"We never want to start that way, especially me," Peralta said. "We won the last game in San Diego and (came) from there, expecting after an off-day to start on the right foot."

Juan Soto had a single on Tuesday, however the slugger is just 3-for-27 this month.

After getting six stellar innings from Dustin May, the Cardinals will turn to fellow right-hander Andre Pallante (6-4, 3.96 ERA) to start on Wednesday. Pallante is attempting to surpass his win total from last season when he went 6-15 in 31 starts.

Pallante has allowed two earned runs or fewer in seven starts this season. He did so for the third time in four starts last Wednesday when he allowed one run on three hits in 5 2/3 innings during a 5-3 victory over the Texas Rangers.

Pallante's only scoreless outing this season was against the Mets in St. Louis on March 31 when he allowed three hits. He is 1-2 with a 4.40 ERA in 11 career appearances (four starts) versus New York.

Christian Scott originally was slated to pitch Wednesday but will get the nod on Thursday afternoon. Instead, the Mets will use right-hander Austin Warren (1-2, 2.01) as an opener for the second time. Warren threw 19 pitches June 1 in Seattle ahead of Sean Manaea's five innings.

Warren has allowed three hits over three scoreless innings in two relief appearances against the Cardinals.

Since Manaea pitched on Sunday, left-hander David Peterson is expected to serve as the bulk reliever. Peterson is 2-0 with a 1.88 ERA in six relief appearances after going 1-5 with a 7.56 ERA in seven starts.

Peterson last pitched May 31 when he threw 51 pitches in the final four innings of a 10-1 win over the Marlins.

--Field Level Media