Mets defeat Pirates 6-5 as R.A. Dickey gets win number 20

The Pirates played their final road game of the 2012 season on Thursday, and despite going up early, they'd eventually lose the game 6-5 to the Mets. The full box score can be found here.

The Pirates got to Mets starting hurler R.A. Dickey early, knocking in a pair of runs in the second inning to go up 2-0. Ike Davis would homer for the Mets in the bottom of the frame, and after Scott Hairston grounded out, Travis Snider made one of the plays of the season in the outfield. Mike Baxter would send a Kevin Correia offering well over the fence in right field, but Travis Snider climbed the wall and made an absolutely beautiful catch to keep the game at 2-1.

The Pirates would make it 3-1 wen Rod Barajas hit his 11th home run of the season in the fourth inning, but Correia would give up four runs in the bottom of the fifth as R.A. Dickey moved into position to record his 20th win of the season. The Pirates would get nothing further off of the knuckleballer, as he struck out 13 Pirates on the day.

The Pirates would rally to make it 6-5 in the ninth when Alex Presley hit his 10th home run of the year off of Jon Rauch, but they'd be unable to get anything more as Bobby Parnell came in for the Mets to seal the win.

Beyond the result, Pirates fans have a bit of an injury concern. Andrew McCutchen had to leave the game with a left knee injury after slamming the knee into the ground trying to catch a ball in the seventh inning. McCutchen told the media he'll be "good to go" for tomorrow after the game:

McCutchen...."I'm good to go." -DP

— ROOT SPORTS™ | PIT (@ROOTSPORTSPIT) September 27, 2012

The Pirates will return to Pittsburgh on Friday for their final six games of the season. They'll have a three-game set with the Reds over the weekend before concluding their season when Chipper Jones and the Braves come to town.

Video: Pirates' Travis Snider robs Mike Baxter of home run

R.A. Dickey is going for his 20th win of the season against the Bucs, but whether he gets it or not, the game may be best remembered for a ridiculous catch by the Pirates' Travis Snider in the second inning, robbing Mike Baxter of a home run. Watch the video below -- Kevin Correia delivers to Baxter, then turns around and mutters like he knows it's a home run. But no: Snider climbs the wall, pulls himself up about four feet, and makes one of the best catches of the year. Enjoy it, Pirates fans.

Pirates Vs. Mets final score: New York blanks Bucs 6-0

The New York Mets officially eliminated the Pittsburgh Pirates from playoff contention on Wednesday night, winning 6-0 at Citi Field.

The other major news to come out of this game was the story of David Wright, who became the Mets' all-time leading hits leader with an RBI infield single in the third inning.

New York was buoyed by Jeremy Hefner, who pitched terrifically in a seven-inning shutout performance in which he allowed only one walk and three hits. The Amazins' pitching was in total control throughout the evening, not surrendering a single extra-base hit.

The Pirates weren't so lucky with their youngster, Jeff Locke. The 24-year-old was batted around in a big way, giving up five runs on nine hits and a walk in just 3⅔ innings.

Pedro Alvarez was the lone bright spot for the Bucs, collecting two of the three hits for Pittsburgh to raise his average to .246.

At 76-79, the Pirates need to win six of their final seven games to finish above .500 for the first time since 1992.

Pirates vs. Mets lineups: Pittsburgh turns to Marte

The Pittsburgh Pirates sit only one game away from being eliminated from playoff contention as they take on the New York Mets on Wednesday night. The Pirates hope prospect Starling Marte can help keep the Pittsburgh playoff hopes alive, as the 23-year-old will bat at the top of the order and play left field in just his 35th MLB start. With Marte in the lineup the Pirates are giving Gaby Sanchez a rest and shifting Garrett Jones from the outfield to first base.

Full lineups for Wednesday's game are below:

Pittsburgh Pirates (76-78)

1. Starling Marte, LF
2. Alex Presley, RF
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Garrett Jones, 1B
5. Pedro Alvarez, 3B
6. Michael McKenry, C
7. Josh Harrison, 2B
8. Clint Barmes, SS
9. Jeff Locke, SP

New York Mets (70-84)

1. Ruben Tejada, SS
2. Daniel Murphy, 2B
3. David Wright, 3B
4. Scott Hairston, RF
5. Ike Davis, 1B
6. Kelly Shoppach, C
7. Lucas Duda, LF
8. Andres Torres, CF
9. Jeremy Hefner, SP

Pirates vs. Mets Preview: Pittsburgh's playoff elimination number down to 1

To say that Wednesday night's matchup with the New York Mets at Citi Field is a big game for the Pittsburgh Pirates is an understatement. The Bucs are fighting for their playoff lives and with one more loss -- or a St. Louis Cardinals win -- they'll be eliminated from postseason contention.

Under that scenario, it appears that missing the playoffs this season will be an unavoidable truth for the Pirates, so there is virtually no pressure on pitcher Jeff Locke, who will take the mound for Pittsburgh. The left-hander will be making his fifth start of the season -- ninth of his career -- and will also be looking for his first win. For his career, the 24-year-old enters the game at 0-5 and with an ERA of 5.88.

The Pirates will be looking to continue to aid in their young hurler's development by giving him meaningful innings that they hope will build his confidence and carry over into Spring Training next year.

Andrew McCutchen will try and maintain his lead for the NL batting title after going 1-3 on Tuesday night, his seventh consecutive game with a hit. His .336 average places him just slightly ahead of Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants, who has a .333 average.

Pirates vs. Mets preview: Jeff Locke takes mound for Game 3

The Pittsburgh Pirates will try to take a lead in their series with the Mets on Wednesday, sending Jeff Locke to the hill.

The Bucs offense roughed up Mets starter Collin McHugh for seven quick runs to even the series on Tuesday. Locke will be making his fifth start of the year after entering the rotation at the start of September. He went 0-2 with a 6.64 ERA in his previous four starts, all Bucs losses.

The Mets will counter with Jeremy Hefner, who is coming off a catastrophic outing against the Phillies. Hefner did not record a single out, with the first seven men reaching base. He gave up seven runs and his ERA took an expectedly huge hit. He was much more steady in the month of August, giving up a run or less in five of six appearances.

First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET and Root Sports will have the broadcast.

Pirates vs. Mets: Jones, Alvarez power Pittsburgh past New York, 10-6

After starter Wandy Rodriguez pitched a strong six innings, giving up three runs on four hits, the Pittsburgh Pirates were able to stave off a New York Mets comeback, topping New York, 10-6.

The scoring got started early in Citi Field in New York, as the Pirates scored four runs in the top of the first inning off of Mets starter Collin McHugh. Pedro Alvarez's three-run shot to score Andrew McCutchen and Gaby Sanchez was the big early blow.

After the Mets struck back for three runs in the bottom of the frame as a result of homers from David Wright and Justin Turner, bringing the score to 4-3. But the Pirates were able to render those runs meaningless, scoring three of their own against McHugh to chase him after just 1.1 innings, having given up seven earned runs.

After the Pirates scored again in the fifth, the Mets scored three more in the seventh, but the rally fell short, as Pirates relievers Jared Hughes, Jason Grilli and Joel Hanrahan combined to shut down the Mets over 2.2 innings. Garrett Jones's ninth-inning, two-run home run put the game well out of reach.

The Pirates are now 76-78 on the year with eight games remaining. With the teams splitting their first two meetings of the four game series, the Mets and Pirates square off against on Wednesday.

Pirates vs. Mets lineups: Pirates push for .500

The Pittsburgh Pirates will attempt to get back on track against the New York Mets at Citi Field on Tuesday night after dropping the first game of the four-game series. There will be no major changes to the lineup for the Pirates as they will need to finish their season strong if they hope to have their first .500 or better season since 1992. The Pirates are still technically alive in the Wild Card playoff race, but are hanging by the slimmest of threads.

Full lineups are below:

Pittsburgh Pirates (75-78)

1. Alex Presley, LF
2. Josh Harrison, 2B
3. Andrew McCutchen, CF
4. Garrett Jones, RF
5. Gaby Sanchez, 1B
6. Pedro Alvarez, 3B
7. Clint Barmes, SS
8. Rod Bajaras, C
9. Wandy Rodriguez, SP

New York Mets (70-83)

1. Ruben Tejada, SS
2. Justin Turner, 2B
3. David Wright, 3B
4. Scott Hairston, LF
5. Ike Davis, 1B
6. Kelly Shoppach, C
7. Andres Torres, CF
8. Mike Baxter, RF
9. Collin McHugh, SP

Pirates Vs. Mets Preview: Wandy Rodriguez Looking To Right Ship For Pittsburgh

The Pittsburgh Pirates face the New York Mets Tuesday night at Citi Field in New York for the second game of their four-game set.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are 5-20 in the month of September and have fallen 7.5 games off the pace in the NL Wild Card race. The Mets, who defeated Pittsburgh Monday, look to hammer the final nail in the coffin of Pittsburgh's playoff hopes with another victory Tuesday evening.

Wandy Rodriguez (4-4, 3.71) takes the mound for Pittsburgh looking to right the ship for the fading Pirates. Rodriguez has two wins already this month but struggled his last time out, allowing four runs on five hits in four innings of work.

For New York Collin McHugh (0-2, 3.86) gets the start. The start is McHugh's first since Sept 10 when he was sent to the bullpen after two shaky outings. The 25-year-old right-hander made his major league debut on Aug 23, pitching seven scoreless innings and allowing only two hits.

Game Time: 7:10 p.m. ET

Location: Citi Field, New York

TV: ROOT SPORTS

Radio: KDKA-FM 93.7

For more on the Pirates, head over to Bucs Dugout and continue to check out SB Nation Pittsburgh.

Pirates Vs. Mets Final: Pittsburgh Falls To Ike Davis And New York Mets, 6-2

The Pittsburgh Pirates' offense could muster only a single run as they fell to Ike Davis and the New York Mets Monday night, 6-2.

Starting pitcher Kyle McPherson allowed two runs in the fourth inning on an Ike Davis home run and exited the game after only 4⅓ innings. Jeff Karstens entered the game but, like McPherson, was no match for Ike Davis who hit his second home run of the game, putting New York ahead, 6-0.

Pittsburgh scored once in the eighth inning on an Andrew McCutchen triple and Garrett Jones RBI single, and again in the ninth on a Jose Tabata run-scoring base hit. However, those runs were the only slip-ups for the New York bullpen as the Mets went on to win, 6-2.

Jenrry Mejia gets the win for the Mets after pitching five scoreless innings in which he allowed only four hits while striking out four. It is the first win of the 22-year-old's career. For the Pirates, McPherson picks up the loss, dropping his record 0-2. McPherson allowed four runs on four hits and three walks.

Pittsburgh now finds itself fading further and further away from the NL Wild Card race. The loss drops the Pirates to 75-78, seven games out of a Wild Card spot with only nine games left to play.

For more on the Pirates, head over to Bucs Dugout and continue to check out SB Nation Pittsburgh.

Pirates Vs. Mets: Bucs Hope For Late Push With Trip To New York

The Pittsburgh Pirates start a series against the New York Mets with a pair of youngsters facing off on the mound.