Jay Bruce Yoenis Cespedes
Robby Sabo, ESNY Graphic, Getty Images

Mickey Callaway‘s impressive New York Mets improved their record to 15-6 courtesy of an extra-inning Jay Bruce home run and, ultimately, a road win over the St. Louis Cardinals.

  • New York Mets 6 (15-6)
  • St. Louis Cardinals 5 (13-9)
  • NL, Final, 10 Innings, Box Score
  • Busch Stadium, St. Louis, Missouri

The very same man who seemed to save Sandy Alderson’s bacon during the latter stages of the offseason, came up large on Tuesday night in St. Louis.

Jay Bruce smacked a 10th-inning home run that granted the New York Mets the hard-earned 6-5 victory over the home Cardinals.

Twice the Amazins’ were forced to come back and now are tied with the MLB lead with the most comebacks in 2018 with the Philadelphia Phillies (10).

First, down 4-1, Yoenis Cespedes unleashed a major shot with two on and two outs. It put the Mets even in the fifth inning.

After relenting the lead again, Adrian Gonzalez smacked a sac-fly in the eighth to the send the game to extra innings. What was more special about Bruce’s game-winner was the fact it came immediately after a deflating double-play.

Bruce finished a double shy of the cycle. His three-hit, two-RBI night clearly marked his best of the season. New York only mustered six hits in total. Bruce owned half of that number.

Zack Wheeler took the ball from Mickey Callaway and greatly disappointed. He could only muster four innings while giving up four runs on two walks and six hits. Matt Harvey made his first relief appearance of the season and promptly gave the lead back to the Red Birds in the fifth, the inning after Cespedes’ crushing three-run shot.

After Harvey, however, it was lights out. Paul Sewald, Robert Gsellman and Jeurys Familia (who picked up his ninth save of the season), allowed no runs and just two hits over four innings pitched.

For the Cards, centerfielder Tommy Pham led the way with a 3-3, two-RBI night with a two-run home run in the first inning off Wheeler. Luke Weaver received the start for the home team and looked solid for three-plus, but ultimately burned out after Yo’s difference-making shot in the fourth.

With a stellar record of 15-6 on the season, the Mets will next turn to lefty Steven Matz who’ll oppose righty Michael Wacha in Game 2 of the three-game slate Wednesday night. First pitch comes your way at 8:15 p.m. ET.

Robby Sabo is a co-founder, CEO and credentialed New York Jets content creator for Jets X-Factor - Jet X, which includes Sabo's Sessions (in-depth film breakdowns) and Sabo with the Jets. Host: Underdog Jets Podcast with Wayne Chrebet and Sabo Radio. Member: Pro Football Writers of America. Coach: Port Jervis (NY) High School. Washed up strong safety and 400M runner. SEO: XL Media. Founder: Elite Sports NY - ESNY (Sold in 2020). SEO: XL Media. Email: robby.sabo[at]jetsxfactor.com