ST. LOUIS — The Mets’ hits total over two games Sunday suggested they easily could have won both, but an inability to finish business got them swept.
Mostly, they floundered with runners on base.
First, the Mets fell short of a comeback by leaving the bases loaded and the tying run at third over the final two innings in a 6-5 loss to the Cardinals in Game 1 of a doubleheader at Busch Stadium.
In the nightcap, they wasted chances in the middle innings in a 5-4 loss in the series rubber game.
The Mets, who lost for the fourth time in five games, have consecutive series losses for the first time this season.
The Mets had 10 hits in each game Sunday and left 12 and 10 runners on base, respectively.
“We had chances and hit balls hard — it didn’t go our way today,” manager Carlos Mendoza said.
In the nightcap, Tylor Megill slogged through five innings in which he allowed four earned runs on four hits and three walks with six strikeouts.
After the Mets rallied for a 4-2 lead with four runs in the third inning, the Cardinals tied it against Megill in the bottom of the frame.
Lars Nootbaar and Masyn Winn walked before Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras each delivered an RBI single.
Arenado’s grounder — generously ruled a single — could have easily been the inning’s third out, but Mark Vientos bounced a throw past Pete Alonso, scoring the run and extending the inning for Contreras to deliver.
“I kind of did it to myself in those middle innings,” Megill said, referring to the two walks he allowed in the fourth.
Juan Soto was denied a three-run homer in the fourth when Victor Scott II reached above the center field fence to rob him.
The Mets left the bases loaded in the inning.
The Mets also left two runners on base in the fifth inning.
“I think we did a really good job of getting guys on,” Soto said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t come through with the big base hit, but overall we did a pretty good job.”
Soto said he thought his ball was a homer.
“I hit it hard enough to go out,” he said.
Max Kranick was tagged for the go-ahead run in the sixth on Scott’s RBI double.
Alec Burleson’s two-run homer in the second put the Mets in a 2-0 hole before they sent nine batters to the plate in the third in building their lead.
Alonso singled in a run before Starling Marte delivered a two-run single and Francisco Alvarez’s grounder through the right side brought in a fourth run.
Blade Tidwell had a shaky major league debut in Game 1.
In addition, Jesse Winker departed with what the team termed right side discomfort.
Winker, who started Game 1 in left field, has served as the team’s primary DH this season.
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Winker received an MRI exam on his oblique and will return to New York for further testing.
Mendoza expects that Winker will be placed on the injured list.
Over 3 ²/₃ innings Tidwell surrendered six earned runs on nine hits and three walks with two strikeouts.
He was removed after throwing 82 pitches.
Tidwell said he needed to execute better ahead in the count.
The Mets rallied in the eighth and ninth innings, but each time left the tying run in scoring position.
In the eighth they scored twice before leaving the bases loaded.
Overall, the Mets were 3-for-15 with runners in scoring position in Game 1.
The Cardinals knocked out Tidwell in the fourth.
Burleson walked to load the bases, Donovan stroked an RBI single and Arenado walked.
Contreras followed with a two-run single that placed the Mets in a 6-2 hole and ended Tidwell’s afternoon.
Jeff McNeil walked leading off the sixth and following Luisangel Acuña’s single scored on Francisco Lindor’s RBI fielder’s choice.
But with a chance for the Mets to get closer after Lindor reached second on Jose Barrero’s throwing error, Soto was caught looking at strike three in a second straight plate appearance, concluding the threat.
Lindor’s two-run single in the eighth against Phil Maton got the Mets within 6-5.
But the Mets left the bases loaded in the inning, as Alonso struck out in an eight-pitch at-bat against lefty JoJo Romero and Nimmo was retired.
In the ninth, Vientos singled leading off against closer Ryan Helsley, but the pinch runner Marte was left stranded at third base.
Mendoza indicated it was a tough series to lose given the number of chances the Mets were presented.
“Sometimes it can be a little frustrating,” Mendoza said. “But there’s nothing you can do about it. We have got to keep doing what we’re supposed to be doing, which is controlling the strike zone and hitting balls hard.”