New York Mets' Juan Soto, right, congratulates Pete Alonso, left, after Alonso's two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

ST. LOUIS (AP) – Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo homered and the New York Mets beat St. Louis 9-3 on Friday night to avoid their first three-game losing streak this season and win their ninth straight game against the Cardinals.

Francisco Alvarez added three singles and three RBIs to back Clay Holmes (4-1), and New York got its first win over Sonny Gray (3-1), who had been 4-0 against the Mets.

Alonso put the Mets ahead 4-3 with his eighth homer, a two-run drive on an 0-2 changeup he drove 417 feet into the center-field bleachers.

Nimmo homered leading off the seventh against John King, his seventh home run, and the Mets finished with 17 hits for their second-highest total this season.

New York swept a four-game series from the Cardinals at home last month. The Mets’ previous best streak against the Cardinals was an eight-game run in 1986.

Holmes allowed three runs and eight hits in six innings. He was struck on the right ankle by Alec Burleson´s comebacker in the second inning.

New York Mets’ Juan Soto, right, congratulates Pete Alonso, left, after Alonso’s two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

Gray gave up five runs – four earned – nine hits and three walks in a season-low 4 1/3 innings.

Masyn Winn had three hits, an RBI. He scored on Willson Contreras´ third-inning single to give St. Louis a 3-2 lead. Holmes retired his next eight batters.

Contreras couldn´t handle the relay throw for a potential inning-ending double play in the fifth, and Nimmo sped home on the first baseman’s error when the ball rolled away. Alvarez followed with an RBI single for a 6-3 lead.

Alonso has 13 homers in 135 at-bats against St. Louis. His average of one per 10.4 at-bats is the second-highest among players with 100 or more at-bats vs. the Cardinals behind 5.6 for Hall of Famer Jim Thome.

Mets RHP Tylor Megill (3-2, 1.74 ERA), who hasn´t allowed an earned run in his last two starts, starts Saturday against Cardinals RHP Erick Fedde (1-3, 4.68).

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

New York Mets’ Pete Alonso watches his two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Cardinals’ Victor Scott II is unable to catch a two-run home run by New York Mets’ Pete Alonso during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Cardinals pitcher John King (47) walks back to the top of the mound after giving up a solo home run to New York Mets’ Brandon Nimmo (9) during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Cardinals’ Brendan Donovan fields a ball hit by New York Mets’ Brandon Nimmo during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

New York Mets’ Brandon Nimmo (9) gestures skyward as he crosses home after hitting a solo home run as St. Louis Cardinals’ Pedro Pagés, left, looks on during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Cardinals’ Victor Scott II (11) and Lars Nootbaar (21) watch as fans vie for a home run ball hit by New York Mets’ Brandon Nimmo during the seventh inning of a baseball game Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

New York Mets’ Luisangel Acuña hits a sacrifice fly during the ninth inning of a baseball game against the St. Louis Cardinals, Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Cardinals’ Lars Nootbaar catches a sacrifice fly hit by New York Mets’ Luisangel Acuña during the ninth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray, left, walks behind the mound after giving up a two-run home run to New York Mets’ Pete Alonso during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)

St. Louis Cardinals’ Pedro Pagés, left, talks with starting pitcher Sonny Gray (54) on the mound during the second inning of a baseball game against the New York Mets, Friday, May 2, 2025, in St. Louis. (AP Photo/Scott Kane)