ST. LOUIS — Mickey Callaway said he was eager to get a look at Corey Oswalt. The Mets manager probably didn’t want to see the rookie reliever as quickly or for as long as he had to Wednesday night. Steven Matz got chased in the fourth and the Mets were pounded by the Cardinals 9-1 at Busch Stadium.
The Mets (15-7) have lost two of their last three. It was their third loss this season to the Cardinals (14-9).
Oswalt was the Mets’ sole bright spot Wednesday. Making his major league debut, Oswalt allowed two runs on two hits over 4.1 innings. He did not walk a batter and struck out three.
Matz only went 3.1 innings, allowing seven runs, three earned, on five hits. He walked two and struck out three. It was his shortest outing of the year and the shortest since he lasted just one inning against the Rockies last July.
In five starts this season, the lefty has managed to get through just 21.2 innings.
Matz wasn’t great, but his exit was hastened by sloppy defense behind him.
The Mets committed three errors, including a throwing error by Matz. They had taken a 1-0 lead in the third when Michael Conforto scored on Jay Bruce’s broken-bat single.
The Cardinals answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning with Marcell Ozuna’s two-run single and Dexter Fowler’s sacrifice fly. They got some help from the Mets, though. Matz’s wide throw to first on Michael Wacha’s sacrifice bunt helped set up the inning.
PLAY OF THE GAME
Michael Conforto’s running, leaping catch of Kolten Wong’s fly ball to left field in the bottom of the eighth was about the only defensive highlight of the game.
TURNING POINT
The Mets committed two errors in the fourth inning, allowing the Cardinals to score four and chase Steven Matz.
STAR OF THE GAME
Michael Wacha held the Mets to one run on five hits. He struck out eight over six innings.
STAT OF THE DAY
21.2. In five starts this season, Steven Matz has managed to get through just 21.2 innings.
UNSUNG HERO
Rookie Corey Oswalt spared the Mets bullpen. Oswalt pitched 4.2 strong innings, holding the Cardinals to two runs on two hits. He struck out three.
M.I.A.
The Mets’ defense. Not only did they commit a season-high tying three errors Wednesday night, but sloppy plays cost them as well.
UP NEXT
Mets vs. Cardinals, Thursday, 1:15 p.m., at Busch Stadium, SNY
Noah Syndergaard (2-0, 3.29) vs. Carlos Martinez (2-1, 1.42)
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