The Pirates’ Mitch Keller was spectacular in his first start of the new season, but he got no run support, and neither did his bullpen as the Bucs and Mets played nine scoreless innings on Saturday. Then the teams each scored a run in the tenth before the Mets won it, 4-2, in the eleventh on a Luis Robert Jr. three-run home run.
After taking a 1-0 lead in the tenth inning on a Nick Gonzalez single that brought home Bryan Reynolds, Pirates rookie Hunter Barco surrendered a run in the bottom of the inning. Then in the 11th, Reynolds hit an infield dribbler that scored Jake Mangum to put the Bucs ahead 2-1, but Barco gave up the game-winner to Robert. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza praised Robert for the swing he put on the ball. “I thought the pitcher executed. It was down-and-away, and he goes and gets it. With the conditions today, with the way the wind was blowing, especially from left field? To be able to leave the yard like that in that situation, it goes to show you that this guy is special.”
The Pirates were just 2-for-18 with runners in scoring position, leaving 17 runners on base. They outhit the Mets, 12-6. Reynolds, Gonzalez, and Mangum each had two hits.
The Bucs and the Mets conclude the series this afternoon in New York. Carmen Mlodzinski throws for the Pirates against Nolan McLean, with both making their first start of the season. It’s a 1:40 first pitch, with our coverage beginning with The Pirates Insider Show, with host Jason Mackey, at 12:40.
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