Pittsburgh Pirates vs New York Mets Match Player Stats On Jul 28, 2019

Jason Vargas became the latest New York Mets starter to win his potential final outing for the club as the left-hander tossed 5 2/3 innings and the Mets held off a late rally by the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday to notch an 8-7 victory and complete a three-game sweep.

The Mets have won four straight and are 10-5 since the All-Star Break. The Pirates have lost eight in a row to fall to 2-14 in the second half.

The 36-year-old Vargas (6-5) earned his second win of the homestand and his third straight overall by allowing three runs on six hits and three walks while striking out five. He is 5-5 with a 3.58 ERA in his last 16 starts dating back to April 19.

Vargas is a candidate to be traded by the sub-.500 Mets by Wednesday's deadline, along with fellow potential free agents Zack Wheeler and Todd Frazier. Wheeler allowed three runs over 5 1/3 innings in earning the win in Friday's series opener.

The Mets provided Vargas with all the offense he'd need in a six-run first in which they sent 11 batters to the plate. Leadoff batter Jeff McNeil was hit by a pitch by Chris Archer (3-8) before Michael Conforto hit a two-run homer. Frazier, J.D. Davis (2-for-3) and Amed Rosario all delivered consecutive one-out RBI singles before Aaron Altherr, pinch-hitting for the hobbled McNeil, later lofted a sacrifice fly.

X-rays were negative on McNeil, who was diagnosed with a right shin contusion.

The Pirates chipped away with a run apiece against Vargas in the third, fourth and fifth. Jacob Stallings (2-for-4) homered in the third, Adam Frazier scored on a throwing error by Conforto in the fourth and Melky Cabrera delivered an RBI double in the fifth.

Bryan Reynolds and Jose Osuna each hit two-run homers in the ninth before Edwin Diaz, pitching for the first time since he took a line drive off his foot on Thursday, recorded the final two outs for his 23rd save.

Archer survived a laborious 45-pitch first inning to last five innings, during which he allowed six runs (five earned) on five hits and four walks while striking out four.

--Field Level Media