Pirates Finally Support Mitch Keller, Obliterate Mets

PITTSBURGH — Pittsburgh Pirates right-handed starting pitcher Mitch Keller got the best scoring support he's received all season in the dominating, 9-1 win over the New York Mets at PNC Park.

The Pirates are now 2-2 against the Mets this season, winning 4-0 on May 14 and losing the first two games of the series at Citi Field, 4-3 on May 12 and 2-1 on May 13.

Pittsburgh improves to 33-50 overall and 21-21 at home, while New York falls to 48-35 overall and 19-23 on the road.

Second baseman Nick Gonzales grounded out, but then catcher Joey Bart walked and third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes singled, putting runners on the corners with one out for the Pirates in the bottom of the second inning.

First baseman Jared Triolo came through with an RBI-single off of Mets left-handed pitcher David Peterson, putting the Pirates up 1-0.

Alexander Canario, playing center field in place of Oneil Cruz, would hit a ball to right field that Mets right fielder Juan Soto looked like he had, until it sailed over his head and went to the wall. Canario moved to second base for the double, Triolo made it to third base and Hayes scored, doubling the Pirates lead at 2-0.

The Pirates added two more runs, as shortstop Isiah Kiner-Falefa singled, scoring Triolo and moving Canario to third base, then left fielder Tommy Pham grounded into a fielder's choice, getting to first base safely and scoring Canario, giving the home team a 4-0 lead.

Designated hitter Andrew McCutchen would single after Pham, marking his 2,218 hit in the MLB, putting him at No. 184 all-time, eclipsing outfielder Juan Pierre (2000-13). It also marked his 2.894 total base with the Pirates, tying him with Hall of Famer Lloyd Waner (1927-41, 1944-45) at seventh in franchise history.

Keller would allow a solo home run to Soto in the top of the fourth inning off a sweeper low in the zone, as the Mets cut the deficit to 4-1.

Right fielder Bryan Reynolds led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a double off the right field wall and then Hayes came through with a double off the right field wall with two out, scoring Reynolds and increasing the Pirates' lead to 5-1.