Sunday, August 9, 2026 • 1:35 PM
PNC Park • Pittsburgh, PA
LHP Sean Manaea (3-5, 4.33) vs. RHP Jared Jones (2-3, 4.02)
SNY

The New York Mets’ win streak couldn’t go on forever. The Pittsburgh Pirates rolled through the Mets Saturday night scoring three runs in the first inning and never looking back. The Pirates eventually scored nine runs and held the Mets to no runs and three hits. Robert Stock took the brunt of it, allowing eight runs over three innings. Luis Torrens stepped up for the bullpen, pitching two innings to close out the game.

The Mets still have the ability to win the series though with a win Sunday afternoon.

Mets Lineup

  1. A.J. Ewing – LF
  2. Francisco Lindor – SS
  3. Bo Bichette – 3B
  4. Carson Benge – RF
  5. Luis Robert Jr. – CF
  6. Jared Young – 1B
  7. Marcus Semien – 2B
  8. Brett Baty – DH
  9. Francisco Alvarez – C

Starting Pitcher: Sean Manaea

Sean Manaea has pitched in 24 games this season totaling 97 2/3 innings with a 4.33 ERA, 4.28 FIP, 1.328 WHIP, and a 96 ERA+. In his last three starts he has allowed only five runs over 18 innings from 18 hits and nine walks while striking out 14 batters (2.50 ERA, 4.09 FIP). Since joining the rotation he has made 10 starts totaling 54 2/3 innings with a 3.79 ERA and 4.53 FIP.

Manaea’s first game of the season was 1 1/3 scoreless innings of relief against the Pirates. The Pirates have the following career stats against him:

  • Henry Davis 0-0, BB
  • Nick Gonzalez 0-4, 2 K
  • Brandon Loew 0-8, 3 K
  • Bryan Reynolds 2-9, HR, 2 BB, K
  • Jared Triolo 0-2, BB

Pirates Lineup

  1. Jake Magnum – CF
  2. Ronny Simon – RF
  3. Bryan Reynolds – DH
  4. Nick Gonzales – 3B
  5. Esmerlyn Valdez – LF
  6. Brandon Lowe – 2B
  7. Rafael Flores – 1B
  8. Jared Triolo – SS
  9. Henry Davis – C

Starting Pitcher: Jared Jones

The Mets’ bats will get a look at Jared Jones Sunday afternoon. Over 12 starts (56 innings), Jones has a 4.02 ERA, 3.82 FIP, 1.107 WHIP, and a 107 ERA+. Jones has allowed a bunch of runs recently, six in his last 10 innings. Before that though he had a 21-inning stretch over four starts where he allowed only three runs while striking out 28 batters (1.29 ERA, 1.61 FIP).

Jones missed the series against the Mets in March because he was still recovering from 2025 internal brace surgery. The Mets have the following career stats against Jones:

  • Francisco Alvarez 0-2, 2 K
  • Gabriel Arias 0-2, K
  • Brett Baty 0-2
  • Francisco Lindor 0-2, K

Game Notes

The New York Mets announced the following roster moves prior to Sunday’s game:

  • RHP Xzavion Curry was optioned to Triple-A following Saturday night’s game.
  • RHP Jack Weisenburger was selected to the major-league roster. He will wear No. 82.

Three Things To Watch For

  1. Gabriel Arias. The Mets claimed Arias off waivers from the Cleveland Guardians earlier this week and he joined the Mets before Saturday’s game. Once the game was out of reach, interim manager Andy Green took Francisco Lindor and Bo Bichette out of the game which game Arias his first game time as a Met (0-for-2, K). Arias was hitting .244/.284/.386 (85 OPS+) over 42 games this season, which is an upgrade compared to other options the Mets have rolled with this season. He’s also hitting above his career line of .218/.275/.359. He’ll get plenty of opportunities with the Mets for the rest of the season.
  2. Contain Jake! Jake Mangum was twice drafted by the Mets and was eventually traded to the Marlins. From the Marlins he made his way to the Rays where he made his major league debut in 2025. The Rays traded Mangum to the Pirates last December. He’s having a fantastic season slashing .300/.354/.380 with a 102 OPS+ and a 1.5 bWAR. That would tie him with Luis Torrens for fourth on the Mets. Mangum got the better of the Mets Saturday going 3-for-5 with two doubles, two runs scored and a stolen base.
  3. Marcus Semien. Semien has slashed .245/.317/.547 in his last 17 games, going 13-for-53 at the plate with a double, five home runs, and six walks. He’s not putting up crazy numbers, but his slugging is up 34 points over this stretch. His OPS+ is still the lowest in his career by a long shot (76, career average 107), but he’s only one homer away from reaching last year’s total and still has a shot to reach 20 on the season.