McGwire Blasts 575th Home Run to Stretch Streak

Some days, Mark McGwire even amazes himself.

McGwire hit his 575th career home run, his 11th consecutive hit over the fence, and the St. Louis Cardinals defeated the New York Mets, 4-1, Sunday to complete a three-game sweep.

McGwire’s two-run home run was a low liner that highlighted a three-run first inning. His 21st home run was his second in two days.

“It surprised me like it surprised everyone else,” McGwire said.

McGwire connected against Bruce Chen (5-6).

“It impressed me,” Chen said. “The thing wasn’t higher than 20 feet off the ground.”

What made McGwire’s blast more impressive was the weather. The game was played in a near-steady drizzle.

“That was heavy air out there,” Cardinal Manager Tony La Russa said. “A lot of balls stayed in the park that were hit really well.”

McGwire hit a line drive 400 feet to right-center field for his home run. He later joked that he is studying Seattle outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who appears to look where fielders are and then hits the ball in unprotected spaces.

“Like I told you, I’m watching Ichiro all the time. I’m going to try to be like him,” McGwire said.

McGwire’s last hit that was not a home run was a first-inning single at Houston on July 18. His streak is the longest in at least 25 years; research beyond that does not exist.

After McGwire connected, Albert Pujols followed with his 27th home run, giving the Cardinals a 3-0 lead.

Darryl Kile (13-7) won his third consecutive start, holding the Mets to three hits over six innings. Matt Lawton homered in the fourth for the Mets.

Dave Veres pitched the ninth for his 13th save.

St. Louis added a run in the seventh on Fernando Vina’s double.

Vina led off the game with a walk and McGwire homered with one out. Pujols homered and Jim Edmonds doubled before Chen retired 11 of the next 12 batters.

New York loaded the bases in the sixth when Kile walked three with two out, but Jay Payton grounded out to McGwire at first base.

Chen made his third start for the Mets since being acquired from the Philadelphia Phillies. He is 1-1 with New York.

Chen worked 6 2/3 innings, giving up six hits and striking out seven.

St. Louis’ Placido Polanco was hitless in five at-bats, ending a 20-game hitting streak.

The Cardinals finished 5-1 against the Mets this season. Last year, the Mets defeated St. Louis in the NL championship series, 4-1.