Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets (90-55) brought home a much-needed win against the Pirates (55-89) in the first of a four-game series at Citi Field on Thursday evening. The triumph was backed by strong pitching from New York’s staff, who combined to allow just one run and struck out a 16 Pittsburgh batters.
The Mets’ 90th win ties their most in 16 seasons. They are the second NL team to 90 wins and their division lead is up to one game. New York’s magic number is now six wins to clinch a playoff spot, with 17 left to play.
Carlos Carrasco had a terrific outing as the starter for the Mets and earned the win to improve to 15-6 on the season. The right-hander tossed six innings and allowed just one run on four hits, with two walks and a season-high 11 strikeouts. The only Pittsburgh run allowed came in the second inning on an RBI double from Michael Chavis. Carrasco has allowed three earned runs or fewer in a career-best 11 straight games.
New York notched 10 hits in scoring seven off of the Pirates staff.
The club took an early 2-0 lead in the first inning as a two-out rally, led by a pair of singles from Jeff McNeil and Pete Alonso, got the Mets on the board with a Daniel Vogelbach two-RBI double.
The Mets offense stayed hot and tacked on three more runs in the third. Brandon Nimmo led off with a walk and Francisco Lindor knocked a two-run bomb to make it 4-1 Mets. McNeil followed with a double, Alonso singled for first and third, and Vogelbach got his third RBI of the night with a base hit to make it 5-1. With still no outs Guillorme was walked, but Eduardo Escobar and Tyler Naquin both struck out and James McCann grounded out to strand the bases loaded.
With his 24th bomb this season, Lindor now holds the Mets record for most home runs by a shortstop in a single season. His two RBI also mark his 94th, for a career-high in a single season.
New York picked up another run in the fourth, as Mark Vientos got his first major league hit and RBI to extend the lead, 6-1.
Seth Lugo struck out the side in the seventh. Joely Rodriguez tossed a scoreless eighth and ninth, with one two strikeouts. Mets pitchers total 16 strikeouts tonight.
The Mets tacked on their final run of the evening after Pete Alonso was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, via a Naquin double, and McCann and Nimmo walks. It was the 96th hit batsman of the season for the Mets, breaking a tie with the 2019 club for the most in franchise history.
Player of the Game
Carrasco earns Thursday’s honor after tossing six innings of one-run ball, with a season-high 11 strikeouts. In his last two starts, he’s allowed just two runs and has struck out 17.
On Deck
New York will face the Pirates on Friday evening at Citi Field in the second of the four-game series.
Taijuan Walker (11-4, 3.48 ERA) is the starter for the Mets. Last time out, Walker tossed seven innings and allowed just one run on five hits, with 10 strikeouts.
Mitch Keller (5-10, 4.01 ERA) will get the start for Pittsburgh. He last faced the Cardinals tossed seven scoreless innings with two hits allowed, with six strikeouts and three walks.
Fans can catch the action at 7:10 p.m. ET on WPIX or WCBS 880.
