Mets complete strong homestand with sweep of Pirates for fourth straight win
The Mets’ Pete Alonso greets designated hitter Starling Marte after his two-run home run against the Pirates during the third inning of an MLB game at Citi Field on Wednesday. Credit: Kathleen Malone-Van Dyke
Now, that’s a homestand.
The Mets, who went 1-5 on the first homestand under new manager Carlos Mendoza, finished off a 5-1 second one on Wednesday with a 9-1 victory over the Pirates before 18,092 at Citi Field.
With their fourth straight win, the Mets (10-8) improved to 10-3 since their 0-5 start.
“The way that we’re playing, we’re playing really well,” Starling Marte, who hit a two-run homer, said through an interpreter. “The team’s playing with a lot of energy. We’re all supporting each other and sometimes when things aren’t going that well, you put your head down. But then you hear the team kind of reinforce you and give you that same type of energy, lift you up. The way we’re playing, how together we are, I really like what I see.”
New faces and old faces pitched in (and hit in, too) to complete the sweep of the Pirates, who came into the series at 11-5.
Luis Severino continued his early-season resurgence by throwing a season-high six innings and allowing one unearned run.
Severino (2-1, 2.14 ERA) gave up five hits, walked three and struck out four. His performance as a Met -- especially after he allowed 11 hits and six runs (three earned) in his first outing -- has quieted fears that his one-year, $13-million contract was too risky after Severino pitched to a 6.65 ERA for the Yankees last season.
Fellow new faces Tyrone Taylor and Harrison Bader each drove in a pair of runs in the Mets’ four-run sixth inning.
Leading 2-1 on the strength of Marte’s two-run home run in the third inning, Taylor grounded a two-out, two-run single in the sixth.
Taylor, who the Mets got from Milwaukee in the Adrian Houser trade, went 3-for-4 and is batting .341 with a home run and 10 RBIs while playing all three outfield positions (not at once).
“I’m just thankful to be out here with this group every day,” Taylor said. “I know what my role is. I’ve got to stay ready as if I’m going to play every day. That’s the mindset I have to keep
Said manager Carlos Mendoza: “One thing I like about Taylor is he’s ready to play all the time. You know as a manager, he’s going to be ready for any situation.”
Bader followed with his first home run as a Met, a bullet into the lower deck in left to make it 6-1. Bader, signed as a free agent, is batting .294 and playing his usual eye-popping defense in center.
The Mets begin a six-game road trip on Friday in Los Angeles against the Dodgers.
“We are where we want to be,” Severino said.
Marte’s home run was the 150th of his career. He is the only active player with 150 home runs and at least 300 stolen bases (he has 341).
Marte’s return to the No. 2 spot in the order has coincided with the Mets’ improved play. Overall, the 35-year-old who had a down, injury-plagued 2023 is batting .270 with three home runs, six RBIs and three stolen bases.
“I feel good,” Marte said. “Last year is a year I want to forget.”
Brandon Nimmo added a two-run single in the Mets’ three-run eighth. After Severino, three relievers (Jorge Lopez, Jake Diekman and Grant Hartwig) faced nine batters and retired them all.
“Really good homestand for us,” Mendoza said. “The Pirates came into town pretty hot. That’s a good team there.”
Apparently, so are the Mets. That wasn’t clear after the first homestand.
“It’s good to see the team continue to play well,” Mendoza said. “Now we’ve got to get ready for our West Coast trip.”
Anthony Rieber covers baseball, as well as the NFL, NBA and NHL. He has worked at Newsday since Aug. 31, 1998, and has been in his current position since July 5, 2004.
