Game Recap: Mets Finish Sweep of Pirates With 8-7 Victory

The New York Mets (50-55) got out their broomsticks, as they swept the Pittsburgh Pirates (46-59) this weekend, winning Sunday afternoon’s game by a score of 8-7.

Pitching

Veteran pitcher Jason Vargas pitched a solid first two innings, but gave up a solo home run to Pirates’ catcher Jacob Stallings in the top of the third.

In the top of the fourth, Vargas gave up a single to Stallings that ended up scoring Adam Frazier. Michael Conforto committed a throwing error that allowed Frazier to cross home plate.

In the fifth inning, Vargas yielded a RBI double to Melky Cabrera that cut the Mets’ lead to 6-3.

Reliever Seth Lugo entered the game with two outs in the sixth and pitched 1.1 scoreless innings. Justin Wilson pitched a scoreless eighth inning, maintaining the Mets’ lead. Rookie Tyler Bashlor gave up a two run homer to Bryan Reynolds.

Closer Edwin Diaz entered the 9th, and immediately gave up a two run homer to Jose Osuna to narrow the Mets’ lead to 8-7. Fortunately, Diaz retired Cabrera and Frazier to preserve the win.

Hitting

In the bottom of the first, Conforto hit his 20th homer on the season off Chris Archer, driving in two runs.

Adding to their lead, Todd Frazier singled on a line drive to center field, scoring Robinson Cano. J.D Davis also singled on a line drive to center field, giving the Mets a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first.

Amed Rosario continued the Mets’ first-inning barrage with a groundball RBI single. The Mets loaded the bases after an error by Pirates’ third baseman Jung-ho Kang. Jason Vargas reached on the fielder’s choice.

Aaron Altherr pinch-hit for Jeff McNeil, as the Mets’ leadoff hitter left the game with a left shin contusion. McNeil was hit in the leg by a pitch from Archer in his first at-bat. Altherr hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Davis, and ending the bottom of the first with a 6-0 Mets lead.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Conforto got on base due to a fielding error by Marte. Pete Alonso tacked on a run with a groundout in the sixth, extending the Mets’ lead to 8-3.