The New York Mets (44-59) defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates (55-52) by a score of 1-0 today to split the four-game series at PNC Park.
Pitching
Zack Wheeler was about as good as you can imagine today. He got into a little trouble in the first with two outs but pitched out of it by generating weak contact.
He pitched a 1-2-3 second inning and worked around a Gregory Polanco hit in the third. He also worked around a hit in the fourth inning.
The righty retired the side 1-2-3 in the fifth after driving the only run in the game. He worked around another Gregory Polanco hit in the sixth.
Wheeler’s final line: 6 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, BB, 7 K. Given the circumstances and noise surrounding Wheeler, it was about as good as you can expect. Gut feeling says this was his last start as a Met. He finished with 89 pitches but the Mets opted not to let him continue.
Seth Lugo pitched a perfect seventh inning but gave up a hit with one out in the eighth. Starling Marte tried stealing but Kevin Plawecki gunned him out and Seth Lugo was able to get out of the inning unscathed.
Anthony Swarzak pitched a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the win for New York.
Offense
The Mets went hitless their first four innings despite hitting the ball hard. That said, they recorded their first hit in the fifth thanks to Austin Jackson. Zack Wheeler drove him in for the only Mets run. Take notes, Jacob deGrom.
The Mets had the bases loaded with two outs in the seventh but could not score. They had the bases loaded and one out in the eighth but Austin Jackson and Kevin Plawecki could not get the run in.
Brandon Nimmo reached base twice in the game.
On Deck
The Mets will have the day off tomorrow before heading to Washington D.C. to take on the division rival Washington Nationals on Tuesday. Steven Matz (5-8, 3.79 ERA) will take the mound for the Mets against Tanner Roark (4-12, 4.55 ERA). The game will start at 7:05 p.m. and air on SNY.
