Pirates bats come out in 10-6 win over Mets

September 18, 2012; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Pedro Alvarez (24) reaches base on an error against the Milwaukee Brewers during the seventh inning at PNC Park. The Milwaukee Brewers won 6-0. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-US PRESSWIRE

For the first time in a long time the Pirates offense struck early and often in a 10-6 win over the New York Mets.

After the first inning the Bucs were up 4-0, thanks to a big three-run homer by Pedro Alvarez. Alvarez’s homer was his 30th of the season, making it the first time since 2001 (Brian Giles – 37, Aramis Ramirez – 34) that two Pirates have hit 30 or more home runs in a season, as Andrew McCutchen also has 30.

The 4-0 lead didn’t last long. In the bottom of the first Wandy Rodriguez would surrender three runs, with two of the runs coming off the bat of Justin Turner, who launched his second home  run of the season.

The Pirates didn’t worry about giving up three runs. Instead they got the three runs right back in the top of the second inning, putting their lead back to four. The big hit, a two run triple, came off the bat of Josh Harrison.

They would add another run in the fifth inning when Alvarez drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in his fourth run of the night, his 85th RBI of the season.

However, the Mets would not go away, adding three runs in the seventh inning to make it a 8-6 game. But Garrett Jones hit a two-run homer in the top of the ninth, his career-high 25th, to bring the lead back to four, 10-6.

Rodriguez went six innings, giving up three runs and striking out three for his 12th win of the season.