Rookie pitcher helps Mets beat Cardinals

Making an unexpected major league debut, Robert Gsellman picked up a win the New York Mets needed badly.

Gsellman, relieving injured starter Jonathon Niese with one out in the first inning, worked 3 2/3 scoreless innings as New York stopped St. Louis at Busch Stadium in a matchup of National League wild-card hopefuls.

Gsellman allowed two hits and three walks while striking out two. Five more relievers followed after that, with Jeurys Familia pitching the ninth for his 42nd save as the Mets (63-62) drew within 3 1/2 games of St. Louis for the NL’s second wild-card spot.