Game Recap, 7/13/13: Pirates Top Mets, 4-2

The Mets lost the second game of their series in Pittsburgh tonight by a score of 4-2. Carlos Torres started for the Mets, taking the start for Matt Harvey, who was held out because of a blister and in an attempt to manage his innings total.  Torres did all the Mets could ask, pitching 5 innings and allowing one run. Torres tired in the 5th, but managed to induce a double-play ball with the based loaded and one out to limit the Pirates to 1 run in the frame. David Aardsma relieved Torres in the 6th with the Mets ahead 2-1, and promptly served up a home run to Andrew McCutchen to tie the game at 2. The Pirates plated 2 runs in the bottom of the 7th to take a 4-2 lead. The first run scored on a single by McCutchen off loser Greg Burke. Later in the inning, Josh Edgin walked in a run.

Jul 13, 2013; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher

(52) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the second inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

The Mets had an early 2-0 lead off Pirates’ starter A.J. Burnett. In the 4th inning, Marlon Byrd walked with 1 out and scored on a double by Kirk Nieuwenhuis. In the 5th inning, the Mets added a run when Byrd legged out an infield single, allowing Daniel Murphy to score. Murphy and David Wright had executed a double-steal with Ike Davis at bat, setting up the ability for the Mets to score on a hit that did not leave the infield.

Thoughts:

This one leaves a bad taste in your mouth. When the Pirates took the lead in the 7th, the Mets had two chances to be out of the inning. With 1 out, Travis Snider hit a sharp grounder toward first. Ike Davis went to knee to field the ball, but it deflected off of his glove into right field. The play was originally scored an error, but was later changed to a hit. Then, Starling Marte hit a line drive that David Wright caught, and threw to first to double off Snider. However, Davis could not field the throw cleanly, allowing the inning to continue. That led to 2 runs.

Highlights:

• Carlos Torres stepped up nicely for the Mets in taking the spot start and putting the Mets in position to win the game.
• Eric Young Junior went 2 for 4 with a walk and a stolen base, and continues to impress in the lead off spot.
• The Mets stole 3 bases on the night, and continue to lay aggressive baseball.
• Bobby Parnell pitched the 8th and was very sharp, recording 3 strike outs.

Lowlights:

• Ike Davis went 0 for 4, and looked confused at the plate. He also had a bad night in the field.
• Josh Edgin, who had looked good of late, had no command at all.

Up Next: The Mets will look to avoid the sweep tomorrow at 1:35 when Dillon Gee takes the mound in the last game before the All Star Break.

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