NEW YORK (AP) — Allen Craig hit a tiebreaking, two-run homer in the eighth inning and the St. Louis Cardinals found a bit of missing pop, beating the New York Mets 5-4 Monday and stopping their season-worst losing streak at five. The Cardinals have never been swept in a four-game series in New York. The World Series champions had been outscored 19-1 by the Mets and no-hit by Johan Santana before salvaging the finale at Citi Field. Pinch hitter Scott Hairston and Lucas Duda homered for the Mets, who missed a chance to move all alone into the NL East lead. Craig connected one out after Matt Holliday hit a leadoff single against Jon Rauch (3-5) for a 5-3 lead. The Mets got closer in the bottom half when Andres Torres hit a long sacrifice fly, but closer Jason Motte retired David Wright on an inning-ending liner to right field with a runner at third base. Motte finished for his ninth save in 12 chances. Marc Rzepczynski (1-3) wound up with the win despite allowing Hairston’s eighth career pinch-hit homer in the seventh, a two-run shot with two outs that made it 3-all.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Stanford Routt is growing accustomed to life on the other side of Arrowhead Stadium. The former Oakland Raiders cornerback has fit in seamlessly with his longtime division rival as the replacement for Brandon Carr, who left in free agency. Routt has been working out with the first team during the opening weeks of offseason workouts. He said it’s helped that he spent seven seasons playing against the Chiefs twice a year. It’s also helped that another ex-Raider, tight end Kevin Boss, is a newcomer with Kansas City. Routt was among the most penalized defensive backs in the NFL last season, but he’s also started 30 games over the past two years and was routinely put on the opposition’s best wide receiver. That’s why Chiefs coach Romeo Crennel appears so comfortable with him.