Field Level Media
Jul 29, 2018
Right-hander Zack Wheeler pitched six shutout innings and hit a two-out RBI double Sunday for the New York Mets in a 1-0 win over the host Pittsburgh Pirates.
Seth Lugo allowed one hit in two innings, and Anthony Swarzak pitched a perfect ninth for his third save to complete the six-hit shutout.
Austin Jackson was 2 for 3 with a walk for the Mets, who ended a two-game losing streak and earned a split in the four-game series. They are 5-6 in their past 11 games.
Gregory Polanco was 3 for 4 with two stolen bases for Pittsburgh, which had its two-game winning streak snapped. Polanco was 9 for 16 in the series, and the Pirates have won 13 of their last 16 to climb into third place in the National League Central division.
It was the final game for both clubs before Tuesday's non-waiver trade deadline.
Wheeler (5-6), who has been a subject of trade speculation, allowed five hits, with one walk and seven strikeouts. He has gotten through at least six innings in 15 of his 20 starts this season, including 13 of his last 16 starts.
Pirates starter Joe Musgrove (4-5) made it a pitching duel. He gave up one run and five hits in seven innings, with two walks and two strikeouts. He is 1-4 with four no-decisions in June and July.
In the fifth, Jackson singled but was erased on Kevin Plawecki's double-play grounder. Luis Guillorme reached on an infield single and scored on Wheeler's double to right for a 1-0 New York lead. It was Wheeler's fourth RBI this season and the ninth of his career.
Pittsburgh threatened in the sixth. Polanco led off with a single to left and, an out later, stole second, but David Freese flied out and Elias Diaz grounded out.
The Mets loaded the bases with two outs in the seventh, but Musgrove got Amed Rosario to ground out.
In the eighth, New York again loaded the bases, this time with one out, but reliever Richard Rodriguez induced two pop fouls to snuff the chance.
--Field Level Media