Adam Rubin, ESPN Staff Writer 9y

Cardinals 5, Mets 4: Jenrry Mejia surrenders late homer

JUPITER, Fla. -- The New York Mets produced three ninth-inning runs against St. Louis Cardinals reliever Jordan Walden. However, the Amazin’s left the tying run at second base in a 5-4 loss at Roger Dean Stadium on Friday when Alex Castellanos flied out on a shot into the right-center alley.

Closer Jenrry Mejia, pitching for the second straight day, allowed a three-run homer to Rafael Ortega in the eighth as St. Louis took a four-run lead into the final frame. Ortega earlier homered against Carlos Torres.

Matt Harvey limited St. Louis to one run on three hits and struck out five in 4 1/3 innings. Cardinals starter John Lackey limited the Mets (14-11) to one run on six hits in seven innings.

Eighth wonder: Manager Terry Collins batted Harvey eighth to test out that configuration. Day 1 with that alignment did not prove beneficial.

Harvey came up as the leadoff batter in the third and grounded out. No. 9 batter Danny Muno then singled. Curtis Granderson, placed atop the order, lined out to right field and Muno was doubled off first base. Otherwise, David Wright would have batted with two outs and Muno on first base.

The next time through the order, Harvey came up with two outs and a runner on second base after Eric Campbell’s double. Harvey produced an inning-ending groundout.

Looking better: Rule 5 pick Sean Gilmartin passed a third straight audition for a left-handed relief role. Gilmartin entered to face lefty-hitting Scott Moore with two outs in the seventh and struck him out looking. If the Mets stick internally for a left-handed reliever, Gilmartin might be earning the edge over Scott Rice.

What’s next: The Mets host the Washington Nationals at 1:10 p.m. ET Saturday (WPIX). Jacob deGrom opposes right-hander Stephen Strasburg.

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