[ad_1]
The Mets got a much-needed 5-1 victory over the Pirates Wednesday afternoon after waking up tied with the Braves in the NL East standings.
Chris Bassitt delivered exactly the start Buck Showalter’s club needed on the same day Max Scherzer was placed on the 15-day injured list with irritation of the left oblique. Bassitt recorded 10 strikeouts, five hits and only allowed one run in seven innings of work in the opener of a day-night doubleheader in Pittsburgh.
Reliever Seth Lugo pitched the final two innings for the Mets, allowing no runs on two hits in an easy outing against the rebuilding Pirates.
Tyler Naquin and Eduardo Escobar led the way for the offense, hitting back-to-back homers off of Bryse Wilson in the fourth inning. Naquin, who hit the three-run homer off a belt-high fastball to center, took advantage of his opportunity after replacing the injured Starling Marte in the lineup.
Escobar’s 2-for-4 day at the plate extends his hitting streak to five games. Pete Alonso also went 2-4 amidst his recent hitting slump.
The win puts an end to a three-game losing streak and avoids a four-game skid — which has yet to happen this season. The win puts the Mets a half-game ahead of the Braves, who are scheduled to play the A’s in Oakland later Wednesday. The Mets had been alone atop the NL East since April 12.
Now Showalter hands the ball to ace Jacob deGrom to try and sweep both ends of this twinbill.
Last time out, deGrom pitched seven innings against the Dodgers on Aug. 31 in an Amazin’ 2-1 win at Citi Field. The only run he allowed was a a homer to Mookie Betts.
Pirates righty Johan Oviedo will face the Mets in the second game. The former Cardinal will make his third start and holds a 2.86 ERA with 28.1 IP.
()
[ad_2]
Source link