Mets Power Their Way to 13-4 Win Over Pirates

The New York Mets (46-38) used a 10-run sixth inning to propel themselves to a 13-4 beatdown of the Pittsburgh Pirates (32-55) in the series opener on Friday night at Citi Field.

Newly named National League All-Star Taijuan Walker took the ball for the Mets in this one. The right-hander struggled with his command early and often on the night, but was able to work his way into and out of trouble and limited the damage.

The Pirates loaded the bases against Walker in the top of the second, and the first run of the game came in on a Michael Perez hit by pitch. Walker then rebounded to strike out Jared Oliva, and JT Brubaker grounded into a double play to end the inning.

The score stayed there until the bottom of the third when the Mets struck for two. Jonathan Villar jumped on the first pitch he saw from Brubaker leading off the inning and crushed a solo home run into the visitors bullpen to even the game at one, and win a lucky fan $28,000.

James McCann followed that up blooping a single into shallow right-field. After Walker failed to get the bunt attempt down, Brandon Nimmo lined a double into the left-center field gap, scoring McCann and giving the Mets the lead.

Two innings later the Pirates were able to get to Walker again, as Oliva lined a one out double down the left field line. After Walker walked the opposing pitcher, Adam Frazier lined an RBI single to even the game at two.

Walker was able to work his way out of trouble, and then get through the top of the fifth unscathed. He was then pulled in the top of the sixth in favor of left-hander Aaron Loup. Walker threw five innings and allowed two runs on four hits while walking three and striking out two.

After Loup worked a scoreless inning to keep the game tied, the Mets’ bats broke out in the bottom of the sixth.

Nimmo singled, Francisco Lindor walked, then Dominic Smith singled home a run for the 3-2 lead. Pete Alonso then cracked his second home run of the season at Citi Field, a three-run shot to the opposite field.

A couple of batters later, Jose Peraza came off the bench and was hit by a pitch to force in a run, then Nimmo was walked to force in another run. Then the big blow, Lindor launched the Mets’ first grand-slam of the season to extend the lead to 12-2.

Villar added his second home run of the day in the bottom of the seventh, absolutely crushing one off the facing of the second deck in left field. He now has eight homers, 17 RBI, and a .753 OPS on the season.

Nick Tropeano had the mop-up duty for the Mets tonight, and he allowed one run on four hits over two innings. The lone run came via a Rodalfo Castro monstrous home run, the first hit of his big league career.

After a 40-minute rain delay in the bottom of the eighth, Yennsy Diaz entered to close the door in the ninth. He struggled a bit, walking two and giving up a hit, but only allowed one run and held down the fort for the 13-4 win.

The Mets will look to carry this offensive explosion into Saturday afternoon and night, as they take on the Pirates in yet another doubleheader.

Marcus Stroman will take the ball against lefty Tyler Anderson in Game 1 at 4:10 PM. The Pirates still haven’t announced a starter for Game 2, but rookie right-hander Tylor Megill will look to continue his success as he gets the start for the Mets. All the action can be seen on SNY.