PITTSBURGH (AP) — Andrew McCutchen and Bryan Reynolds hit consecutive two-run doubles during a six-run eighth inning Saturday as the Pittsburgh Pirates pulled away for a 9-2 victory over the struggling New York Mets.
New York manager Carlos Mendoza was ejected in the fourth for arguing balls and strikes. Following their 12th loss in 15 games, the Mets held a players-only meeting in the clubhouse.
The Pirates led 3-2 in the eighth when Ke’Bryan Hayes singled home a run before McCutchen and Reynolds broke open the game. Hayes also had an RBI single in a three-run second that put Pittsburgh ahead 3-1.
The game was delayed by rain for 89 minutes during the top of the second with the Mets leading 1-0.
The Pirates lifted starter Bailey Falter after the wait. However, the Mets stuck with Paul Blackburn when play resumed and he gave up five straight singles to start the bottom of the second.
Blackburn (0-3) was removed after the fifth hit. Mendoza didn’t stick around much longer, as he was thrown out in the fourth by plate umpire Roberto Ortiz for voicing his displeasure with the strike zone.
Braxton Ashcraft (2-0) relieved Falter and allowed one run in 2 2/3 innings.
Pittsburgh will try to sweep the three-game series Sunday.
McCutchen, Hayes, Joey Bart and Nick Gonzales each had two hits for the Pirates. New York got two hits apiece from Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo.
The Mets struck quickly when Francisco Lindor led off the game with a double and scored on Juan Soto’s single. They cut their deficit to 3-2 on Nimmo’s RBI single in the fifth.
Key moment
The Mets put the leadoff man on base in the eighth, trailing 3-2, but Caleb Ferguson got Tyrone Taylor to hit into a double play and Brett Baty to ground out.
Key stat
McCutchen played in his 2,200th career game and is the active MLB leader.
Up next
The series concludes Sunday with Mets RHP Frankie Montas (0-0, 0.00 ERA) making his second start of the season, facing RHP Mike Burrows (1-2, 4.45).
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