Reeling Mets Thumped By Cardinals

Michael Wacha recovered from a wild start to earn his first major league win and Allen Craig hit a three-run homer for the St. Louis Cardinals in a 9-2 victory over the staggering New York Mets on Tuesday night.

Matt Holliday had three hits and the NL Central leaders took full advantage of a crucial error by new Mets first baseman Daniel Murphy, who was shifted over from second after slumping Ike Davis got demoted to the minors Sunday.

David Freese extended his career-high hitting streak to 20 games, longest in the National League this season, and Wacha even knocked in a run with a groundout for his first RBI.

Omar Quintanilla homered for the Mets, who gave up seven unearned runs and lost for the seventh time in eight games.

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