O Mets snapped their three-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Saturday afternoon at PNC Park.
Here are some lessons…
– The Mets left runners in scoring position in each of the first two innings to open the game, but finally broke through in the third, as Luis Torrens came in with the bases loaded and hit a bases-clearing double into the left-center gap. Torrens continues to have an excellent bat since he joined New York in a deal with the Yankees, finishing the afternoon 3-for-4 with three RBI.
– David Peterson did well to dance around danger through the first four innings, including working through a bases-loaded jam with two massive outs in the second. Pittsburgh finally caught up with him a few innings later as a pinch hitter Oneil Cruz lined up a two-run home run to take the lead. The left-hander pitched to fifth, but was pulled to José Butto with just 87 pitches after allowing a single into the scorching heat Bryan Reynolds. Peterson allowed just two runs on five hits while walking two and striking out five in 4.2 innings of work.
– Butto stepped up and provided the Mets bullpen with a strong, much-needed outing, throwing 1.2 perfect innings behind Peterson. The young right-hander was likely signed to be available in the coming days, but has been spectacular in the first two games since he returned to the lineup as a long man in relief.
– Reed Garrett was rescued in a big way by the home plate umpire John Tumpane in the bottom of the seventh. With the bases loaded and two outs, the right-hander threw what appeared to be ball four, but it was called a strike and instead of forcing the run, the pinch hit Jack Suwinski struck out swinging on the next pitch. Garrett allowed two walks and one hit, but was able to get out of danger with a little help.
– Edwin Diaz this time he passed the stick check and picked up right where he left off before the suspension, earning his eighth save of the season with an easy ninth inning. Bringing their star closer to his dominant form down the stretch will be a huge boost for the Mets bullpen, which posted the worst ERA in baseball with him sidelined.
– José Iglesias was back in the starting lineup against the lefty and drove in another run with an RBI double down the left field line in the top of the sixth. The veteran infielder is now batting .467 with runners in scoring position and has a strong .863 OPS since being called up from Triple-A Syracuse.
Game MVP: Torrens
Torrens has been spectacular since being acquired in a trade with the Yankees and he has put his hands to it all by driving in three runs and getting on base so many times.
The veteran now has a .974 OPS in orange and blue while playing his usual stellar defense behind the plate.
Highlights
Next schedule
The Mets and Pirates continue their four-game series on Sunday at 1:35 pm on SNY.
Sean Manaea (5-3, 3.67 ERA) takes the ball to New York, but Pittsburgh has not announced a starter in place of the injured young right-hander Jared Jones.
