JUNE 26, 2007

NEW YORK -- Making his debut for the St. Louis Cardinals, newly acquired Mike Maroth turned in an impressive start on Monday night against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium. Despite the strong effort, the Mets took game one of the series, 2-1, in 11 innings.

Maroth held the National League’s top hitting team to one run on just two hits in 7.1 innings. The left-hander, who walked two and struck out four, did not allow a hit after the first batter of the third inning.

Maroth showed his versatility in the game. He picked off two runners, had a seventh inning single and stole his first career base.

The Mets took a 1-0 lead in the third inning on a solo homer from Carlos Gomez, but the Cardinals tied the game in the fifth inning on So Taguchi’s RBI double.

New York outfielder Shawn Green gave the Mets the win with a walk-off homer in the bottom of the 11th inning.

The Cardinals dropped to 33-40, 9 1/2 games behind first place Milwaukee in the NL Central.  The Mets improved to 42-32 and hold a 3 1/2 game lead over Philadelphia in the NL East.