PNC Park – Dillon Gee continued his dominance over the Pirates as he went 6 2/3 innings of one run ball (unearned) as the Mets avoided a sweep of the Pirates by the score of 4 – 2.
Gee had a 2 – 0 record with a 1.73 ERA in 26 innings (4 starts) coming into today’s game against the Pirates while striking out 19 and walking six. It was more of the same on Sunday as he went 6 2/3 innings while holding the Pirates to five hits while striking out two.
The Mets did their damage in the first off of Gerrit Cole, who has struggled in the first inning with an ERA above seven. Eric Young Jr. and David Wright both singled and Marlon Byrd knocked an RBI double to make it 1 – 0.
John Buck would later hit a 2 RBI single with the bases loaded to make it 3 – 0. “His command wasn’t what it needs to be to come in and set the tone for the game,” said manager, Clint Hurdle. “Three 1 – 2 counts and all three ended singling. It’s just more experience and a couple lessons learned today.” They would finish their scoring in the seventh when Daniel Murphy followed a Young single with a triple.
The Pirates got an unearned run off of Gee in the third. Cole would reach on an infield single and advance to second on a throwing error by Gee. Starling Marte would then knock a book rule double into the left field bleachers to make it 3 – 1.
They would threaten again in the eighth when Jordy mercer led off with a single and Andrew McCutchen doubled down the right field line. They would only get one run out of it, though, as Pedro Alvarez struck out looking, Jose Tabata grounded out (scoring Mercer from third) and Garrett Jones flew out to left on the first pitch.
Clint Barmes and Russell Martin would hit one out singles in the ninth against Bobby Parnell, but he would get Marte to fly to center and Jordy Mercer to fly out to right to end it. Hurdle is pleased that his team keeps fighting into the late innings and knows it won’t always come out on the right side;” I love the way we continue to play 27 outs. You’d like to hit the go button a little bit earlier than we do some times but we don’t stop. We continue to play.”
Final Score: Mets 4, Pirates 2
Starters Lines:
Cole (L, 4 – 3): 5 IN, 6 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K’s. 89 Pitches (58 Strikes)
Gee (W, 7 – 7): 6 2/3 IN, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K’s. 105 Pitches (69 Strikes)
The Pirates will be off now until Friday for the All-Star break. They could be in a tie for first place when they go into Cincinnati to start the second half.
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(Photo Credit: Gene J. Puskar)
