Mets 8, Cardinals 0: Johan Santana pitched his first career no-hitter and the first in the 50-year history of the franchise as host New York breezed past St. Louis.

Tossing a career-high 134 pitches, Santana (3-2) ended a streak of 8,019 Mets’ games without a no-hitter by fanning David Freese for the final out. Santana, who threw a shutout in his previous start, struck out eight and walked five. The 33-year-old missed all of last season following shoulder surgery.

Left fielder Mike Baxter made a beautiful catch in the seventh, snaring Yadier Molina’s drive and slamming into the fence, to preserve the no-hitter. Baxter left the game with an apparent left arm injury.

In the sixth, former Met Carlos Beltran lined a ball over third base that appeared to hit the chalky foul line, but the ball was ruled foul. Beltran then grounded out.

Lucas Duda homered and drove in a career high-tying four runs for the Mets, who moved six games above .500 by winning the opener of this four-game series.

St. Louis lost its third straight on a road trip that began with a win in Atlanta.

Beltran, who hit 149 homers as a Met, received mostly cheers in his return to Citi Field.

Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright (4-6) was touched for seven runs in 6 1/3 innings after dominating in his previous two starts.

GAME NOTEBOOK: Beltran returned to his old position, center field, enabling the Cards to get Allen Craig back in the lineup. Craig, returning from a hamstring injury, played right field. ... Mets 3B David Wright, a .421 career hitter at home against the Cards, doubled, walked twice, scored twice and had an RBI. ... Duda has three homers in the last two games.