Still trying to make a run, Mets ready for Pirates
Still trying to make a run, Mets ready for Pirates
A post-All-Star break run by the New York Mets is almost too little, too late to save their playoff hopes. But at least they are in a less mystified position than the Pittsburgh Pirates.
The Mets will look to continue moving toward .500 Saturday night when they host the struggling Pirates in the middle game of a three-game series. Left-hander Steven Matz (5-6, 4.75 ERA) is set to take the mound for New York against Pittsburgh right-hander Trevor Williams (3-3, 4.96).
The Mets put themselves in position to earn another series win Friday night, when Zack Wheeler tossed 5 1/3 solid innings in his final audition for potential suitors and Jeff McNeil hit a three-run homer that gave New York the lead for good in a 6-3 victory.
The win was the eighth in 13 games since the All-Star break for the Mets (48-55), who have won three of four series in the second half. The run probably won't be enough to keep upper management from trading impending free agents such as Wheeler, Todd Frazier and Jason Vargas, but it has lifted the mood in the locker room.
"Pitching's pitching well, hitting's coming around and hitting well," Wheeler said. "As long as we can keep runs off the board, these guys are going to hit."
Every facet of the game has become troublesome for the Pirates, who have gone 2-12 since the All-Star break and now have the second-worst record in the National League (46-57), ahead of only the Miami Marlins.
The Pirates have been outscored 81-47 in the second half, during which their pitchers have posted a 5.34 ERA and given up 28 homers, including 12 in the last three games.
"We've had some challenges keeping the ball in the ballpark," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said Friday night. "It's been a rough stretch from that standpoint."
Matz didn't factor into the decision in his most recent start Sunday, when he gave up two runs over six innings as the Mets fell to the San Francisco Giants 3-2 in 12 innings. He hasn't won in his last eight appearances (six starts) dating to June 14, a stretch in which Matz has gone 0-2 with a 6.67 ERA.
Williams also didn't get the decision Monday, when he allowed two runs (one earned) over five innings as the Pirates fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 6-5 in 10 innings.
Matz is 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA in three career starts against the Pirates. Williams is 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA in two starts against the Mets.
Both teams could be without key players Saturday. Pirates left fielder Corey Dickerson left in the third inning Friday due to left groin discomfort. The Mets closed out Friday's win without Edwin Diaz, who was unavailable after taking a line drive off his foot Thursday. Both Diaz and manager Mickey Callaway said the reliever was fine, though Seth Lugo earned his first save with a perfect ninth inning.
--Field Level Media
