The Pirates got within one win of .500 Saturday night against the New York Mets, winning 3-2 before a big crowd at PNC Park.
Pirates starter James McDonald did not pitch particularly well, struggling to find the zone but getting by thanks to some key defensive plays and lots of runners left on base. He made it through six innings and allowed two runs, although it might have been much worse.
R.A. Dickey got through seven innings for the Mets, but allowed three runs, including two in the third when Andrew McCutchen's grounder with two men on base glanced off of the glove of third baseman Daniel Murphy.
The Pirates' bullpen then preserved the lead McDonald left them - Jose Veras pitched the last two outs in the eighth and ran into trouble when he allowed a double to Lucas Duda with Angel Pagan on first. The Mets held Pagan at third, and Veras struck out Ronny Paulino to end the threat. Joel Hanrahan looked dominant in the ninth inning and recorded the save.
New catcher Wyatt Toregas made his first start for the Pirates, throwing out Jose Reyes in the first inning but going 0-for-3.
The series continues on Sunday at 1:35, as Chris Capuano takes on Kevin Correia.