Jose Reyes added a two-run triple and Endy Chavez had four hits for the surging Mets, who have won 14 of 17. One day after gaining sole possession of first place in the NL East for the first time since April 19, New York played as though it plans to stay on top the rest of the way.
Coupled with Philadelphia's loss at home to Atlanta, the Mets' victory gave them a two-game cushion in the division
- their largest since an embarrassing collapse in September.
The Mets roughed up rookie Mitchell Boggs (3-2) for the second time in 22 days, handing the Cardinals their fifth straight defeat. Milwaukee finished a four-game sweep in St. Louis on Thursday night, the Cardinals' first four-game skid of the season.
Argenis Reyes hit his first major league homer and drove in two runs as the Mets won for the 10th time in 11 home games. David Wright got New York started with an RBI double in the third inning off Boggs, who gave up 10 earned runs over six innings in his previous major league start, an 11-1 loss to Pelfrey on July 3.
Boggs was optioned to the minors three days later, then recalled on Monday to fill a hole in St. Louis' injury-depleted rotation.
Pelfrey (9-6) pitched seven strong innings in this one, allowing one run and seven hits. He struck out five and walked none.
The 6-foot-7 right-hander has quickly become a force, going 7-0 in his past eight starts. He hasn't lost in 11 outings since May 26 against Florida.
Pitching more aggressively, Pelfrey has lasted at least seven innings in his last five starts. He's walked only one batter over the past four.
