Ailing Mets slow Pujols, beat Cardinals 6-4

[March 19, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- Tim Redding pitched into the eighth inning for his first win with the Mets and substitute setup man Brian Stokes got Albert Pujols to ground into a crucial double play, leading New York past the St. Louis Cardinals 6-4 on Monday night.

Daniel Murphy homered and Omir Santos went 4 for 4 in an uplifting victory for the Mets, hours after they received another dose of disheartening news. All-Star center fielder Carlos Beltran went on the 15-day disabled list with a bone bruise on his right knee, a huge blow to a team already decimated by key injuries.

Before the game, New York manager Jerry Manuel said he would keep a close eye on the spirit of his squad, also missing star shortstop Jose Reyes, slugging first baseman Carlos Delgado and three important pitchers.

[Associated Press; By MIKE FITZPATRICK]

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