Gerrit Cole’s return from the DL didn’t go as planned as the Mets jumped all over him for five runs in four innings of work as New York defeated the Pirates 5-3 on Saturday afternoon.
Velocity wasn’t a problem for Cole, who threw between 95-97 with the fastball, but his location of pitches did hurt him as the Mets put five runs and five hits on the board through two innings. All runs were scored with two outs.
Cole was able to get through the third and fourth innings without allowing another run, but too many extended at bats cost him to go longer into the game as he was pulled before the fifth at 93 pitches.
“It was a tough one today,” said Cole. “I was sharp in the sim games. Delivery was great, but today I just wasn’t very sharp. I left balls over the plate flat. I didn’t get hit really too hard, but I just wasn’t sharp. I didn’t expect to be nails coming out, but I definately expected to be better than I was today.”
The Pirates started a comeback against Mets starter Jonathon Niese in the fourth, but were unable to get over the hump. They loaded the bases with one out before Niese walked Pedro Alvarez and Chris Stewart. Starling Marte then pinch-hit for Cole and struck out looking on a borderline call at the knees and Gregory Polanco followed by striking out. They would add another in the fifth when Gaby Sanchez doubled with two out and scored on a Neil Walker RBI single.
Stolmy Pimentel relieved Cole and gave the Pirates a much-needed extended relief appearance going four innings of two-hit, no-run ball while striking out seven.
“Outstanding,” said manager Clint Hurdle. “Really good body of relief work. Held them down. The split played, the slider, nice finish to the fastball. You saw the velocity. Great day for him to get out and pitch and carry us through and give everybody out in the bullpen another breather.”
Ernesto Frieri made his first appearance as a Pirate in the ninth working a clean 1-2-3 inning.
“I felt amazing,” said Frieri. “I didn’t have any doubt to just attack the strike zone because I saw from the bullpen that these guys can play defense, so it give you some comfort to just attack the strikezone instead of working around it.”
Final Score: Mets 5, Pirates 3.
Starters Lines
Cole (L, 6-4): 4 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 K’s, 1 WP. 93 Pitches (57 Strikes).
Niese (W, 5-4): 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 5 K’s. 98 Pitches (62 Strikes).
The Pirates will look to take the series tomorrow afternoon in the final game of the four-game set.
Tomorrow’s Starters
(RHP) Edinson Volquez (PIT): 5-6, 4.35 ERA
(RHP) Bartolo Colon (NYM): 8-5, 3.67 ERA
First pitch is set for 1:35.
