5-run 5th continues Mets dominance on Opening Day

Yoenis Cespedes | Credit: NEWSDAY / Thomas A. Ferrara

The Mets sent 10 batters to the plate in a five run fifth inning, breaking a 3-3 deadlock on their way to a 9-4 win over the St. Louis Cardinals on opening day.

It was the first win for new manager Mickey Callaway, who replaces Terry Collins at the helm. 

"Obviously, you want to get all the first out of the way.  We did all of that today," he said to reporters after the game.  He is the first Mets manager to win in his debut in 26 years, when Jeff Torborg won in his debut against the Cardinals in 1992. 

Noah Syndergaard went 6 innings, striking out 10 and issuing no walks, allowing 4 earned runs for the win.  Warned prior to the game that Syndergaard would be limited to no more than 100 pitches, he hurled 85 pitches, 59 of which were in the strike zone.  He allowed two home runs, including a 2 run shot by Yadier Molina in the second inning that was north of the strike zone. 

Offensively, Callaway's decisions paid dividends, having Syndergaard bat 8th and Cespedes bat 2nd in the lineup.  It resulted in Cespedes batting 3 runs for the Mets, and Amed Rosario, who batted behind Syndergaard on the lineup in 9th, drove in two runs. 

The win continues the Mets dominance on Opening Day.  Since the start of the franchise in 1962, the Mets are 37-20 on Opening Day, the best win percentage in the majors. 

While the Mets win brought joy to Flushing, it was a day of mixed emotions.  The grey, overcast and cool temperatures only echoed the feeling with the news of the passing of legend Rusty Staub at the age of 73. 

The Mets paid tribute to Staub during pre-game ceremonies. 

NEXT UP: After the Mets normally scheduled day off in case of an opening day rain-out, they will return to the field on Saturday as Jacob deGrom gets his 2018 season started against the St. Louis Cardinals.  Michael Wacha will go on the mound for the Cardinals.  First Pitch from Citi Field is scheduled for 1:10pm on Saturday.

Pregame coverage will begin on FOX Sports Radio 97.9FM & AM1230 at 12:30pm.

The New York Mets Return to WMML TOMORROW!

The New York Mets kick off their 2018 campaign at Citi Field tomorrow afternoon as they host the St. Louis Cardinals in the first game of their opening three game series.  And, for the first time since the 2015 World Series run, the Mets will be on FOX Sports Radio 97.9AM & AM 1230.

The first pitch is scheduled for 1:10pm, with pregame ceremonies emcee'd by Howie Rose airing shortly after 12:30pm.

It is our fifth year covering Mets baseball, and the first since the Mets made it to the World Series in 2015, when rights were transferred over to our sister stations CBS Sports Radio 1410 and WIN 104.9FM in Albany.  With the end of WIN 104.9, we have regained the rights, and look forward to the return of Mets baseball to our airwaves.

As in the past, we will broadcast all 162 regular season games here on FOX Sports Radio 97.9FM & AM 1230, with CBS Sports Radio 1410 being used as a secondary outlet in the event of schedule overlaps during the late summer.  Howie Rose, Josh Lewin and Wayne Randazzo will once again team up to give the live call of every game.

All broadcasts will begin 40 minutes prior to the first pitch, featuring pre-game ceremonies, manager and player interviews, and more.

We look forward to having the Mets back on and hope you can join us for the journey as the Mets seek their first World Series title since 1986 here on FOX Sports Radio 97.9FM and AM 1230.

Click here for the full 2018 New York Mets schedule.

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