New York @ Pittsburgh preview
PNC Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 21, 2010 ) NY Mets 5, Pittsburgh 1
The New York Mets have a chance to complete their first series sweep in more than two months when they take on the Pittsburgh Pirates in Sunday’s matinee.
The Mets (62-61) took a 5-1 decision over the Pirates (40-83) in a rain-shortened contest on Saturday. The game only went five innings before it was called off, but New York made the most of its six hits to keep its hot offense on a roll.
Before arriving in Pittsburgh, the Mets hadn’t managed more than three runs in a game in their last seven games. New York has 12 runs in 14 innings during this series with Pittsburgh.
Shortstop Jose Reyes has been a big part of the offensive attack lately, especially on the road. Reyes’ double on the first pitch of Saturday’s game marked the 21st consecutive road game in which he’s hit safely and moved him to 5-for-9 in the series.
David Wright hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning Saturday. He had just one RBI in his previous 17 games.
New York will be up against Pittsburgh’s Zach Duke (5-12, 5.32), who’s trying to avoid moving into a tie for the most losses in the league.
Duke has lost nine of his last 12 starts, no thanks to Pittsburgh’s putrid offense, but he had no one to blame but himself in his latest outing, a 6-0 loss to Florida that saw him give up nine hits and five earned runs over 5 2/3 innings.
Even though the left-hander is 25 games under .500 for his career, Duke has had success against the Mets, owning a 3-1 with a 3.20 ERA in six starts.
Duke, who has 74 strikeouts and 37 walks in 120 innings this year, said leaving the ball up in the zone was his biggest problem against the Marlins. He has held the opposition to two or three runs in six of his last nine appearances.
Meanwhile, Johan Santana (10-7, 2.97) takes the ball for the Mets. The big lefty had thrown 16 1/3 scoreless innings prior to his last start, a 4-3 loss at Houston in which he went eight innings and allowed two home runs. Santana also has 34 strikeouts over his last four outings and is 2-1 with a 1.88 ERA in five career starts against the Pirates.
Pittsburgh’s offense continues to struggle. The Pirates have scored two or fewer runs in nine of their last 10 games overall.