Rain may have delayed the game’s start, but it didn’t slow down the Pittsburgh Pirates, who blanked the New York Mets 4-0 on AAPI Night at Citi Field. Despite scattered showers and a late start, the Pirates capitalized on early Mets mistakes and clutch hitting to avoid a sweep in the road series.
Clay Holmes got Pittsburgh off on the right foot, retiring the Mets in order in the first. Mets starter Bailey Falter ran into trouble early, giving up a single and issuing two walks to load the bases in the first inning. However, he managed to escape without allowing a run.
Light rain returned in the second inning, but the Pirates made noise at the plate. Ronny Gorski blasted a two-run homer to left-center, putting Pittsburgh ahead 2-0. As crews worked to keep the field playable, the Pirates kept up the pressure.
In the fifth inning, Ji Hwan Bae reached base following a pitch clock violation on Holmes, and Jared Triolo drove him in to extend the lead to 4-0.
Though the Mets had been offensively strong earlier in the series, they couldn’t produce when it mattered. They left the bases loaded in both the fourth and eighth innings. Holmes struck out four before handing the ball to lefty Yohan Cabrera, who shut down the Mets, keeping them hitless and stranding three runners to maintain the shutout.
Tanner Rainey and Chase Shugart combined to pitch the final three innings for the Pirates, keeping the Mets off the board. Even as the Pirates’ offense cooled, they stayed aggressive, loading the bases again in the eighth inning.
Unable to complete the sweep, the Mets were outplayed by a Pirates team that showed sharper pitching and timely offense, walking away from New York with a shutout victory and renewed momentum.
