MMO Game Thread: Mets vs Pirates, 4:05 PM

The Mets lost in extra innings last night, making three straight losses and putting themselves in a position of needing to win tonight and tomorrow in order to split the series. Jon Niese (4-4, 2.78) opposes right-hander Gerrit Cole (6-3, 3.64) in the 4:05 PM game at PNC Park.

Niese has gone 19 consecutive starts allowing three earned runs or less, the longest current streak in the majors. It is also tied for the fourth-longest streak in team history and longest since Johan Santana went 21 straight starts in 2009. Niese is 6-5 with a 2.85 ERA (39 earned runs/123.1 innings) during this run which dates back to September 13 of last year.

Travis d’Arnaud had a career-high three hits last night and has hit in all four games since he was recalled from Las Vegas (AAA). He is 6-16 (.375) with three RBI during that span and has raised his batting average 21 points from .180 to .201 in those four games.

Josh Edgin has retired all 20 first batters he’s faced this season, a new franchise record. Opponents are hitting .103 (4-39) against Edgin, the lowest mark among qualified major league relievers.

Starting Lineup

Curtis Granderson – RF
Ruben Tejada – SS
Daniel Murphy – 2B
Lucas Duda – 1B
Eric Campbell – 3B
Kirk Nieuwenhuis – CF
Anthony Recker – C
Jon Niese – LHP
Eric Young, Jr. – LF

Jon Niese will take the hill for the Amazin’s and he is 4-4 over 15 starts and 97.0 innings with a 2.78 ERA. In each of his last two starts he has gone 6.0 innings allowing 3 ER, something he hasn’t done since the middle of May where he did that three straight games in a row. Knock on wood, he hasn’t allowed more than 3 ER in any start this season. He faced the Pirates when they were in Queens earlier this year allowing 2 ER over 5.2 innings while walking 2 and striking out 4. The Pirates have the following numbers against him:

Sanchez 6-23, 2B, HR
Barmes 6-16, 2B, HR
Martin 1-10
McCutchen 4-10, 2 2B
Walker 1-8
Harrison 1-6, 2B

Gerrit Cole climbs the mound for the Pirates. On the season he is 6-3 over 12 starts and 76.2 innings with a 3.64 ERA. In his last three starts he has pitched 18.0 innings with a 2-0 record and a 3.00 ERA. He has made one start against the Mets in his career where he allowed 3 ER over 6.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against Cole: