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.