It’s not how you start but how you finish. The Pittsburgh Pirates held that mantra with a 4-2 victory over the New York Mets Saturday night.
Andrew McCutchen drove in two, a game-tying home run in the sixth and a single that provided the go-ahead run in the seventh. The Pirates bullpen continued to work their magic, allowing a lone baserunner in 3 1/3 innings of work.
Starting pitching ruled the first four innings. New York’s Carlos Torres held the Pittsburgh bats in check in the early stages, allowing only two baserunners after four innings. AJ Burnett repeatedly worked around jams until Kirk Nieuwenhuis doubled home Marlon Byrd in the top of the fourth to give the Mets the first run of the game.
The Mets would add another the following inning. It was Byrd this time driving in the run, beating out a groundball to short that appeared to be double-clutched by Clint Barmes.
Burnett lasted 5 2/3, allowing two earned and striking out eight on 96 pitches.
Pittsburgh finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth. Garrett Jones led off with a double, scoring on a Jordy Mercer single the following at bat. With the bases loaded, Jose Tabata grounded into an inning-ending double play to preserve the Mets lead.
A lead that would not last much longer. David Aardsma relieved Torres to kick off the bottom of the sixth. McCutchen greeted him louder than any booing of David Wright, smacking a solo shot to centerfield to tie the game at two. It was his tenth home run on the year and first since June 28th.
Torres was solid in his spot start, lasting five innings and allowing one run.
For the third consecutive inning, the Pirates crossed home plate in the seventh. Travis Snider reached first on an Ike Davis error with one out. After a Starling Marte lineout, back-to-back singles from Tabata and McCutchen scored Snider and gave the Pirates a 3-2 advantage.
Josh Edgin replaced Greg Burke, the losing pitcher of record, and promptly walked Pedro Alvarez and Russell Martin that put the final run of the night on the board.
The Shark Tank of Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli shut the door the rest of the way, not allowing a baserunner on a combined 17 pitches. It was Melancon’s 25th hold and Grilli’s National League leading 29th save.
The third reliever to make an appearance, Justin Wilson, recorded his sixth victory of the season after relieving Burnett in the sixth.
Pittsburgh will attempt to sweep the Mets tomorrow afternoon in the final game before the All-Star break. Gerrit Cole (4-2, 3.68 ERA) will face Dillion Gee (6-7, 4.80 ERA) with first pitch set for 1:35.
NOTES: Pittsburgh improves to 56-35, tying St. Louis for the NL Central lead….Jeff Locke will miss his scheduled start tomorrow with a back injury….He will not pitch in the All-Star Game….Grilli, Melancon, and Wilson all possess ERAs over under two….Tonight’s reported attendance was 39,173….David Wright went 0-5 with two strikeouts
