Pete Alfonso hit a two-run homer. José Quintana won for the first time this season and the New York Mets beat the St. Louis Cardinals 4-2 on Thursday night to open a four-game series.

Quintana (1-4) beat his former team by pitching into the seventh inning. He gave up three hits, including a homer in the seventh to Tyler O’Neill, and two runs. It was his first time facing the Cardinals since signing with the Mets as a free agent in the offseason.

Tim Locastro led off the ninth with a pinch-hit home run, his first this season for New York. It was the third one of his career.

Trevor Gott pitched the ninth for his first save. He got Paul Goldschmidt looking with two on to end the game.

The loss denied Adam Wainwright (3-8) a chance to pick up career win No. 199. But it was a better outing for the 41-year-old right-hander, who is in his final season.

Wainwright, plagued by injuries and ineffectiveness this season, pitched six innings, throwing 93 pitches. Wainwright, who turns 42 on Aug. 30, allowed three runs on four hits in his third-longest outing this season.

Alonso hit 3-2 sinker 437 feet into the center field grass, scoring Jeff McNeil for a 2-0 lead in the fourth. It was Alonso’s 37th homer of the season and gave him 91 RBIs.

Quintana loaded the bases in the fourth on a single and two walks with two outs. A force out ended the threat.

The Mets added a run in the fifth when Franciso Lindor doubled home Rafael Ortega, extending New York’s lead to 3-0.

The Cardinals chased Quintana in the seventh. After the leadoff homer by O’Neill, Jordan Walker walked and Andrew Knizner singled. Drew Smith relieved and gave up a sacrifice fly before getting two ground outs.