Cardinals Edge Mets 3-2 in 10 Innings on September 6, 2026
Major League Baseball confirmed the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the New York Mets 3-2 in a 10-inning showdown at Busch Stadium on September 6, 2026, with the game lasting 4 hours and 12 minutes. The victory extended the Cardinals’ lead in the National League Central to 2.5 games, according to official MLB statistics.
Game Summary: A Marathon of Resilience
The contest, which began at 7:10 p.m. Central Time, featured 23 total strikeouts and 11 combined walks. The Cardinals’ bullpen, led by closer Jordan Hicks, preserved the win after the Mets’ Francisco Lindor tied the game in the ninth inning with a two-run double. The decisive run came in the bottom of the 10th when Paul Goldschmidt singled in the winning run, according to the official game log.
“It was a battle of wills,” said Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol in a post-game press conference. “Our guys stayed composed, and the offense found a way to win when it mattered most.”
Key Moments: Lindor’s Heroics and the Cardinals’ Clutch Defense
The game’s turning point arrived in the top of the ninth inning when Lindor, the Mets’ shortstop, launched a two-run double to left-center field, erasing a 2-0 deficit. The hit came against Cardinals reliever Ryan Helsley, who had entered the game in the eighth inning. Lindor’s double marked his 11th multi-RBI game of the season, per MLB.com’s player statistics.
The Cardinals responded in the bottom of the ninth with a dramatic rally. After a leadoff single by Nolan Gorman and a sacrifice bunt by Paul DeJong, Goldschmidt delivered a game-tying single. The inning ended with a strikeout of Harrison Bader, forcing extra innings.
In the 10th, the Cardinals’ defense held strong. Center fielder Taylor Hayes made a diving catch to rob Mets slugger Pete Alonso of a potential game-tying home run, according to the game’s official play-by-play.
Player Performances: Goldschmidt’s Clutch Hit and Lindor’s All-Around Effort
Goldschmidt, the Cardinals’ 36-year-old first baseman, went 2-for-4 with the decisive RBI. His performance extended his season-long hitting streak to 12 games, a career-high, according to the team’s official media guide.
Lindor, the Mets’ 30-year-old shortstop, finished with two hits, two RBIs, and a .333 batting average in the game. His double in the ninth inning marked his 12th multi-RBI game of the season, per ESPN’s statistical database.
Mets starter Jacob deGrom, making his 25th start of the season, allowed two runs on six hits over 6.1 innings. He struck out seven batters but struggled with command, issuing three walks. DeGrom’s record now stands at 13-7, according to the official MLB standings.
Standings Implications: Cardinals’ Lead Grows in a Competitive Division
The win moved the Cardinals to 82-54 on the season, securing a 2.5-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds in the NL Central. The Mets, meanwhile, fell to 76-60, remaining in second place but trailing the Atlanta Braves by 3.5 games in the NL East.
“We’re in a good position, but we can’t get complacent,” said Cardinals shortstop Paul DeJong, who went 1-for-4 with a walk. “The division is tight, and every game matters.”
What’s Next: Cardinals Face the Brewers, Mets Take on the Phillies
The Cardinals will host the Milwaukee Brewers in a three-game series starting September 9, 20
