Cardinals down Mets, scratch closer to Braves

ST. LOUIS -- David Freese and the St. Louis Cardinals really are enjoying the final stretch.

Freese drove in five runs with a go-ahead three-run homer and a triple, and the surging St. Louis Cardinals beat the New York Mets 6-5 on Wednesday night for their 12th win in 14 games.

The Cardinals moved within 1 1/2 games of Atlanta in the National League wild-card race. St. Louis, a season-high 17 games over .500 (86-69), has seven games left and will go for a sweep of the Mets today.

"The real fun in this game is to play meaningful games this time of year, and you have the most fun playing in October," Cardinals manager Tony La Russa said. "The guys are having a lot of fun because we played ourselves back into this. You can feel it."

Freese certainly enjoyed watching his homer, which gave the Cardinals a 6-4 advantage in the seventh.

"That was a good feeling," Freese said. "Obviously, the biggest hit of my career, and getting that win is huge."

The Mets fell to 73-82, ensuring the third straight losing season for the big-spending ballclub that has been plagued by injuries and off-field financial woes this year.

Jaime Garcia (13-7), who made his 30th start, pitched around four unearned runs over 7 2/3 innings. He gave up six hits and struck out five.

"What Jaime did, not getting frustrated and keeping us in the game, was classic," La Russa said.

Jason Motte got four outs for his eighth save in 12 opportunities but allowed a solo home run to Willie Harris in the ninth.

Pujols went 2 for 4 with two runs scored to extend his hitting streak to six games and up his average to .305. Pujols now has reached base safely in 37 consecutive games. He is hitting .500 during his six-game streak (13 for 26).

Allen Craig drove in the Cardinals' other run with an RBI single.

Mets manager Terry Collins said the Cardinals might be a tough out if they can make the playoffs.

"They got a good team," Collins said. "The lineup's tough. I know Edwin Jackson will help them pitching wise. He's a good pitcher. They got a lot of weapons."

The Mets led 4-3 after six innings, and the Cardinals were going quietly in the seventh before Pujols singled to center field off reliever Miguel Batista with two outs.