The New York Mets secured a 3-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night, thanks to a crucial balk by Pirates pitcher Jose Hernandez in the seventh inning. The Mets, who have been on a hot streak lately, have now won nine of their last 12 games after starting the season with five consecutive losses.
The game was tied 1-1 in the seventh inning when Joey Wendle came off the bench to deliver a key double, scoring Francisco Lindor and putting the Mets ahead. Hernandez then committed a balk, allowing Pete Alonso to score, before Jeff McNeil added an RBI double to extend the lead to 3-1.
The Mets’ bullpen was stellar, with Reed Garrett pitching two scoreless innings and striking out six batters to earn the win. Jorge Lopez and Drew Smith also contributed solid performances to secure the victory.
On the Pirates’ side, rookie pitcher Jared Jones impressed with five shutout innings, but the team ultimately fell short against the Mets’ strong bullpen.
The win puts the Mets over .500 for the first time since early June last year, marking a significant turnaround for the team after their rough start to the season. With contributions from different players each night, the Mets are showing resilience and depth as they continue to climb in the standings.
The two teams will face off again in the series finale on Wednesday afternoon, with Bailey Falter starting for the Pirates and Luis Severino taking the mound for the Mets. Fans can expect another exciting matchup as both teams look to secure the series win.