New York Mets walk it off against the Pittsburgh Pirates
May 9, 2013; Flushing, NY,USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jeff Locke (49) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
The Pittsburgh Pirates wasted another quality start by their starting pitchers, this time Jeff Locke in a walkoff 3-2 loss to the New York Mets.
Locke would go six innings allowing one run on three hits while throwing 97 pitches along the way, however the bullpen allowed two runs and the Pirates were playing catch up all game.
The Mets started the scoring in the bottom of the second inning. Catcher John Buck hit a single to lead off the inning. The next batter Justin Turner hit a single and was out advancing to second base, however Buck advanced to third on the play. Buck would score when Marlon Byrd hit a sacrifice fly.
The match up ultimately proved to be a pitcher’s duel between Locke and Mets starter Dillon Gee.
The Pirates broke through against Gee in the sixth inning. Andrew McCutchen singled as did Garrett Jones putting runners on the corners with no one out. A mound discussion did not help Gee and his night was done after he hit the next batter Russell Martin to load the bases. He pitched five plus innings throwing 101 pitches.
The Mets opted to bring in Brandon Lyon and Pedro Alvarez greeted him with a sacrifice fly to tie things up at one. The Pirates were unable to capitalize with runners on first and second with an out keeping the game tied.
New York retook the lead in the bottom of the seventh inning. Tony Watson came in to pitch the inning and Andrew Brown got on base with a single. Two batters later, an Ike Davis double scored Brown.
This lead would not hold for long as Alvarez homered to right field for his sixth of the season. The solo shot was off pitcher LaTroy Hawkins.
This score held through the bottom of the ninth inning. This despite McCutchen nearly hitting a two run home run, that was robbed by center fielder Juan Lagares.
Despite a tie game, both Mark Melancon and Jason Grilli pitched in their normal roles.
Grilli allowed a single to Byrd to start the ninth inning. Brown sacrificed Byrd to second before a Mike Baxter single ended the game. The loss was Grilli’s first of the season.
The two teams play again tomorrow as Wandy Rodriguez [2-2 4.02] faces Shaun Marcum [0-2 7.20]. The game is scheduled for 7:10.