Mets Game Recap: Pirates complete sweep with 9-1 thumping in series finale

The Pirates continued plundering Mets pitching through Sunday’s series finale, and sailed to a lopsided 3-game sweep. Pittsburgh exacted no mercy upon the trio of starter Jon Niese, and relievers Erik Goeddel and Sean Gilmartin this time, to post a 9-1 victory.

Jon Niese ran his pitch count to 104 in just 4.2 innings of work. He allowed 4 earned runs on 7 hits (home run to Andrew McCutchen), walked 4 and fanned 6 batters in what was his shortest outing of the season. His record fell to 3-5, while his ERA climbed from 3.72, to a 4.08 mark.

May 24, 2015; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Jonathon Niese (49) pitches to Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman

Josh Harrison

(5) during the third inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Goeddel and Gilmartin then combined on 3.1 innings, surrendering another 5 earned runs on 5 hits, which included Starling Marte‘s 3-run home run in the 6th.

In fact, the Bucs outscored the visiting Mets by a combined 20-4 margin, primarily against hurlers Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, and Jon Niese. Outfielders Andrew McCutchen (2), Starling Marte, and first baseman Pedro Alvarez combined on 4 home runs and 9 RBI in the series’ final two games.

The Mets, meanwhile, entered the series facing off against the National League’s 3rd best team ERA. Gerrit Cole, A.J. Burnett, and Francisco Liriano started against the Mets, and each achieved double digit strikeouts marking the first time 3 Pirates hurlers achieved the feat in a series against the Mets since 1969.

Here are the Amazin’s troubling 3-game offensive tabulations:

Game One: 6 for 28 (.214), 1 run, 10 strikeouts, 1 walk.
Game Two: 7 for 33 (.212), 2 runs, 12 strikeouts, 0 walks.
Game Three: 7 for 34 (.206), 1 run, 14 strikeouts, 2 walks.
Combined: 20 for 95 (.211 average, I rounded up!), 4 runs, 36 strikeouts, 3 walks.

Highlights:

The Mets were swept in Pittsburgh for the first time in six seasons.

After the game Jon Niese said (paraphrasing) he was feeling great, and that he hadn’t felt this good in a long time. He felt he just went away from the game plan. Let the speculation begin!

Lucas Duda and Juan Lagares did not play.

Batting lead-off, #3, Curtis Granderson, Granderson, #3 – went 1 for 11 in the series, 7 strikeouts, no walks.

The Mets hit one home run in the series – Ruben Tejada.

Roster Move:

Catcher Johnny Monell is being optioned back to the minors, to make room for infielder Daniel Muno.

Next:

5/25 – Monday, Memorial Day

Game 1 of 3: Phillies @ METS

Severino Gonzalez vs. Bartolo Colon