Sports Network | September 16, 2010
Flushing, NY (Sports Network) - Mike Pelfrey worked seven sharp innings and drove in the go-ahead run to lead New York to a 6-2 win over Pittsburgh to finish off a four-game series sweep.
Pelfrey (15-9) added to his career-high win total by yielding a pair of runs on six hits while walking four and fanning four as the Mets completed their first four-game sweep at home since August 15-18, 2003 over Colorado.
Lucas Duda doubled twice, drove in two runs and scored the decisive run for New York, which last swept a four-game set from Pittsburgh June 19-22, 1997 at Shea Stadium.
Wilfredo Ledezma (0-3) suffered the loss after yielding the game-winning run in the sixth inning for the Pirates, who have lost six out of seven to fall 50 games below the .500 mark.
Pedro Alvarez doubled with one out in the away second and scored the game's first run when John Bowker looped a single into center field.
The Pirates put runners at first and second with nobody out in the fourth before Bowker flied out on a tremendous sliding catch in center field by Angel Pagan, who threw back to the infield to double off Alvarez at first base.
Ronny Cedeno then followed with a triple past a diving Jesus Feliciano in right to chase home Garrett Jones to give the visitors a two-run lead.
The hosts tied the game in the bottom half of the inning on a two-run double by Duda, who ended an 0-for-23 drought.
Feliciano led off the fifth with a walk and moved to second on a bunt single by Pagan before David Wright grounded into a double play and Ike Davis flied out to deep center to end the threat.
Pirates starter Charlie Morton was lifted after five frames, during which he allowed two runs on five hits and four walks while fanning one. Ledezma took over and was removed after a one-out double by Duda and was replaced by Sean Gallagher.
After Ruben Tejada flied out, Pelfrey stroked a base hit into left to chase home Duda with the go-ahead run.
The hosts added an insurance run in the seventh against Chris Resop when Pagan reached on a fielder's choice, stole second, went to third on a balk and scored on an Davis sacrifice fly.
Pedro Feliciano retired the Pirates in order in the eighth and the Mets added to their lead with a pair of runs in the bottom of the frame.
Steven Jackson started the inning on the hill for the visitors and was lifted with runners at second and third and two out.
Pagan then greeted Justin Thomas with a single past the diving shortstop Cedeno out into center field to deliver the two runners to push the lead to 6-2.
The series sweep was the Mets seventh of the season and their first since June 15-17 at Cleveland...New York's last series sweep at home was June 4-6 over Florida...Pelfrey is 10-3 in 17 home starts...He is 3-1 in four career turns against the Pirates...The Mets are 63-4 when leading after seven innings...New York won the season series, 6-1 and has claimed all seven games at Citi Field between the teams since the park opened last year...Reyes was 0-for-4 with a run scored and the Mets are 42-19 when he crosses the plate...Thursday was only the fourth time in 14 starts that Morton had allowed fewer than three earned runs in a start and the seventh in which he was able to get through five full innings...His earned run average after Thursday's start is a season- low 8.61...Jones and McCutchen have both hit safely in eight of their last nine games...Pirates starter Ross Ohlendorf is expected to throw off flat ground Friday at PNC Park..He has not thrown a ball since last start August 23 because of a right shoulder strain.