The Cardinals also got homers from Brandon Moss, who knocked in four runs for the day, catcher of the future Carson Kelly (who had three hits and a walk) and Jacob Wilson.

Many of their hurlers were not all that effective although lefthander Tim Cooney, pitching for the first time since his emergency appendectomy last July 27, worked two scoreless innings. He threw only 17 strikes out of 32 pitches and walked two but he allowed no runs or hits. Cooney had won his first game for the Cardinals last July 24, allowing Atlanta two runs in seven innings, before becoming ill a couple of days later.

Several minor leaguers brought along for the ride participated for the Cardinals. Hard-throwing Junior Fernandez walked two, hit one and allowed three runs in the seventh.

Outfielder C.J. McElroy had two hits and Nick Plummer drove in the 14th run with a ninth-inning hit off Addison Reed.

MOSS KNOCKS IN FOUR RUNS

The New York Mets keep pulling ahead and Brandon Moss keeps running them down.

For the second time in two at-bats on Saturday, the Cardinals’ first baseman delivered a two-run hit that tied the score.