Johan Oviedo struggled on the mound this afternoon as the Pittsburgh Pirates fell to the New York Mets by an 8-3 score. The Bucs lost the series as well, falling to 54-67 on the season.
Oviedo suffered the defeat (6-13), giving up four runs on five hits with five walks in four innings. Tylor Megill earned the victory for New York, giving up two runs on five hits with four walks in five innings.
The Pirates had plenty of opportunities to make this an interesting game, especially in the game’s opening innings. They were able to put two runners on in both the first and second innings, but were unable to get that one key hit to push any runs across the plate.
DJ Stewart’s solo homerun in the top of the second inning put the Mets in front, 1-0. Later in the inning, Francisco Lindor singled to left field, scoring Omar Narvaez and Rafael Ortega to increase the lead to 3-0.
The Pirates battled back with a pair of runs in the top of the third inning. Bryan Reynolds’ 18th homerun of the season, a fly ball to left center field, scored Ke’Bryan Hayes to cut the Mets’ lead to 3-2.
Brandon Nimmo continued his hot hitting in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single to left field, scoring Ortega. Then, later in the inning, Stewart’s fourth homerun of the season, and second of the game, was a two-run shot to increase the lead to 6-2.
Alika Williams singled home a run in the top of the sixth inning, bringing the Pirates within three runs at 6-3, but Pete Alonso’s solo homerun, his 36th of the season, came in the seventh inning to push it back to a four-run lead. Ortega’s RBI single scored Jeff McNeil to make it 8-3, and the Mets went on for the comfortable victory.
This was another game of missed opportunities and miscues for this Pirates’ team. As we have seen far too often this season, they have put themselves in position to be successful, but they can’t seem to get that one key play or crucial hit to make a difference in the game.
Similarly disappointing was Oviedo’s performance on the mound. He had been one of the more impressive starters for a number of weeks, but his last two starts have not been good, sending him and the Bucs’ coaching staff back to the drawing board.
After a day off on Thursday, the Pirates will continue their current road trip with a three-game series against the Minnesota Twins, beginning Friday night at 8:10pm. The Twins will send Pablo Lopez to the bump, while Pittsburgh has yet to name a starter.
Record vs. Mets: 3-3
Record vs. N.L. East: 10-10
Record on the Road: 25-35
Overall Record: 54-67
And…
As Always…
Let’s Go Bucs!
