Carson Benge Went 5-for-5, And The Mets Aren't Leaving The Eastern Time Zone For 35 Games

Alright, you guys, lemme tell ya, sometimes you gotta tip your cap to another squad, even if they ain't rocking the compass rose. What the New York Mets are doing right now, especially after the start they had? That's the kind of gritty turnaround we love to see in the Emerald City, even if it’s from afar. They just split a four game series out on the West Coast, snagging a huge 7-3 win in San Diego on Sunday. And listen, they are now only five games back from that final wild-card spot, thanks to a red-hot stretch and a rookie who’s absolutely crushing it!

Rookie Benge is Heating Up, So Are the Mets

You remember April? The Mets looked like a lost cause, dropping 12 straight games at one point. Rookie outfielder Carson Benge was hitting a measly .189 back then. But what a difference a few weeks make, right? This dude put on a show Sunday, going a perfect 5-for-5 and scoring three times. He's not just a one-game wonder either. In his last 34 games, Benge is batting a stellar .316, with five homers and 20 RBIs! Mets manager Carlos Mendoza isn't even surprised, saying he knew Benge had the talent and "he's finally settling, he's comfortable, he's playing his game." You love to hear that about a young talent finding his stride. The Mets have won seven of their last 10 games, which has helped them cut two games off their wild-card deficit. And here's the kicker: after enduring four brutal West Coast trips in the first two months, they now don't leave the Eastern time zone for a crazy 35 straight games. Talk about a much-needed break!

Cardinals Are Grinding, Even With Some Ugly Wins

Meanwhile, the St. Louis Cardinals are doing their thing, too, chasing the top spot in the National League Central, currently five games out. They're on a four-game winning streak themselves, and they've perfected the comeback win. On Sunday, they notched their 19th comeback victory, beating Cincinnati 5-3. And get this: Victor Scott II and Ivan Herrera drove in runs in the eighth inning on balls that literally did not leave the infield and went for errors. Hey, a win's a win, right? Cards manager Oliver Marmol summed it up, saying his guys "continue to stay focused on what's right in front of them." We've seen our fair share of grinding wins here at T-Mobile Park. Plus, Jordan Walker is a machine for them, with four straight multi-hit games and an insane .478 average in his last five outings. On the mound, though, they've got some question marks. Dustin May, who's starting Tuesday's game, is 0-4 with a 3.86 ERA in his last seven starts. That's a stat that makes you scratch your head a bit, even if he's pitched at least six innings in five of those games.

So, here we go, another Tuesday night of MLB action. Dustin May for the Cardinals squares off against Freddy Peralta for the Mets. And speaking of Peralta, he was on fire against us not too long ago, allowing just one run on six hits over six innings during a 7-1 win right here in Seattle just last Wednesday. He's been solid lately, with a 3-1 record and a 3.40 ERA in his last seven starts, a huge bounce-back after giving up 11 runs over his previous three. This game is huge for both teams: the Cards gunning for their fifth straight win, and the Mets trying to keep that wild-card momentum rolling. You gotta love the fight, folks, that's what baseball is all about!

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This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.