Pirates Blow Lead, Fall 6-3 to Mets on Jackie Robinson Day

Despite taking a three-run lead in the sixth inning, the Pittsburgh Pirates fell 6-3 to the New York Mets at Citi Field on Jackie Robinson Day. 

With the game tied 3-all in the eighth, Harrison Bader plated a pair on a two-run double against Aroldis Chapman to give the Mets (8-8) the lead.

Chapman (0-1) struck out Jeff McNeil, but McNeil reached via a dropped third strike on a wild pitch . Chapman then issued a walk to DJ Stewart before Bader’s double. 

Following the double, Chapman was ejected by the home plate umpire after saying something with his glove covering his face.

Roansy Contreras relieved Chapman and faced Brandon Nimmo. Nimmo bounced one to second baseman Jared Triolo, who fired home but not in time to get Bader.

Bader stole third on Contreras’ first pitch of his outing. 

Adam Ottavino (1-0) was awarded the win after throwing a perfect eighth inning. 

Entering the sixth, the Pirates (11-6) had just one hit against Mets starter Adrian Houser. Their second hit resulted in their first run. After Ke’Bryan Hayes walked to open the top of the sixth and advanced to second on a fielder’s choice, Andrew McCutchen grounded a single through the right side to plate Hayes and put the Pirates up 1-0.

McCutchen’s run-scoring single knocked Houser out of the game. The right-hander worked 5.1 innings, allowed two runs on two hits, walked five and struck out five.

Drew Smith relieved Houser and issued a walk to Jack Suwinski before Connor Joe drove in McCutchen with a base hit up the middle. Suwinski scored from third on Triolo’s sacrifice fly, which gave the Pirates a 3-0 lead. Martín Pérez shut out the Mets through five innings but New York loaded the bases against him in the sixth.

With one out, Pérez walked Francisco Alvarez to push across the Mets first run. McNeil followed by skying a shallow fly ball to right field, which was caught by Joe. However, Joe spiked his throw and Francisco Lindor scored from third on the error. 

After Joe’s error, Pérez was lifted in favor of reliever Hunter Stratton, who surrendered a game-tying double to right against pinch-hitter Stewart on the first pitch he threw. 

Stratton was able to record the final out but not before the Mets sent nine men to the plate and tied the game at 3-all.

Pérez was charged with three runs in 5.2 innings pitched. He allowed six hits, walked a pair and struck out one. 

Up Next

The Pirates and Mets will continue their three-game series on Tuesday night. Former Pirates pitcher José Quintana will start for New York. Pittsburgh has yet to announce a starter. First pitch: 7:10 ET.

Housekeeping

• The Pirates reinstated Ji Hwan Bae (hip) from the 10-day injured list and optioned him to Triple-A Indianapolis.