Clay Holmes’ chances of finishing six innings appeared slim early on, but then he got rolling Friday.
ST. LOUIS — Clay Holmes’ chances of finishing six innings appeared slim early on, but then he got rolling Friday.
The right-hander was dented in the early innings — surrendering three earned runs — before retiring 10 of 11 batters to complete his night in the Mets’ 9-3 victory over the Cardinals at Busch Stadium.
“It’s a team that puts the ball in play a lot,” Holmes said. “I am a contact guy, so it really just helped me trust the defense and let them work.”
It marked the second time this season the former reliever managed to work through six innings (also previously against the Cardinals). Only compounding the task, Holmes was struck in the ankle by an Alec Burleson line drive in the second inning.
Holmes had a rough third inning, in which he surrendered four singles that allowed the Cardinals to go ahead 3-2.
