Mets vs. Pirates Game 105 Recap

Mets LHP Jason Vargas (Credits to Newday.com)

The New York Mets defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-7 this afternoon to sweep their three-game series and fourth consecutive win and improved their record to 50-55. In the bottom of the first inning, LF Jeff McNeil led off with a hit-by pitch and was taken out of the game. X-rays were negative and revealed he had a shin contusion.  CF Michael Conforto followed with a two-run homer. Three batters later, third baseman Todd Frazier hit a RBI single. LF J.D. Davis followed with a RBI single. SS Amed Rosario also followed with a RBI single. The bats went quiet for the next few innings until the bottom of the sixth after Conforto reached on a fielding error by Pirates CF Starling Marte, which brought home a run. 1B Pete Alonso grounded into a fielder's choice which brought home a run.

LHP Jason Vargas started out well with two scoreless innings, but gave up a  solo homer to catcher Jacob Stallings in the top of the third inning. Vargas gave up another run in the top of the fourth on a RBI single by Stallings. He gave up a RBI double to LF Melky Cabrera and was taken out with two outs in the top of the fifth inning. His final line was 5.2 innings, 6 hits, 3 runs, 3 walks and strikeouts. He picked up his sixth win. RHP Seth Lugo followed and threw 1.1 scoreless innings. LHP Justin Wilson threw a scoreless top of the eighth inning. RHP Tyler Bashlor gave up a two-run home to RF Bryan Reynolds in the top of the ninth inning. RHP Edwin Diaz gave a two-run homer to 1B Jose Ozuna, but was able to get the last two outs and close it out and picked up his 23th save.

The Mets are off tomorrow and return to action on Tuesday, July 30th in Chicago against the White Sox at 8:10 p.m.