The Mets lost 2-1 to the Pittsburgh Pirates, getting just three hits as they lost for the eighth time in their last nine games and their record fell to 31-35.
Here are the best takeaways from the loss…
1. The Mets were dominated by Mitch Kellerthe Pirates’ top starter, but one that flopped, giving up 15 runs in his previous three starts.
Keller went seven innings, allowing just two hits, a second-inning single at Marc Canha and a home run in the fourth inning for Jeff McNeil. The right-hander walked two while striking out seven, as he lowered his ERA to 3.41.
The Mets’ biggest culprit was the catcher Omar Narvaez, who came twice with two runners on base and two out and failed to deliver. In the second inning, the Mets had runners at second and third when Narvaez retired the swing. And they had runners at first and second in the fourth inning when he regularly got out at second base.
Tommy Phamis a double in the ninth closer David Bednar gave the Mets some hope, but Brett Baty and Canha both flew out to end the game.
2. The silver lining for the Mets was their throwing, especially the bullpen. After Carlos Carrasco allowed two runs in 4 2/3 innings, three relievers held the Pirates scoreless the rest of the day.
Josh Walker, Drew SmithAnd Brooks Raley combined to pitch 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing only one hit while racking up six strikeouts.
3. McNeil hit his first home run since May 1 and his third of the season when he soloed Keller to start the fourth inning.
McNeil has 12 extra hits this season, up from 49 last year. He had played 34 games with just one extra goal but now has two out of three, including a brace on Friday night.
However, the home run was McNeil’s only hit of the day on Sunday, as his average fell to .274.
4. Southpaw Walker earned a big out for the Mets in the second major league relief appearance of his career. Introduced to relieve Carrasco with runners on the second and third and two out in the fifth inning, Walker retired the left-handed batter Jack Suwinskiwho had homered earlier in the game.
Recalled from Triple-A on Friday, Walker also pitched a scoreless sixth inning and perhaps could give the Mets a more southpaw presence in their bullpen besides Raley.
At 28, he spent several years in the minors after being a 37e-round draft pick from the University of New Haven in 2017.
Walker was up earlier in the season and pitched a scoreless inning. He had a 1.45 ERA in Triple-A.
5. Andrew McCutchen single to left field in the first inning to record his 2,000e career hit. It became the 291st player in MLB history to reach that number and the fifth active player, joining Miguel Cabrera, Joey Votto, Nelson CruzAnd Elvis Andrus.
McCutchen, who received a standing ovation from the crowd in Pittsburgh, got the first hit of his career against the Mets in 2009, from right-hander Mike Pelfrey.
Strong points
And after
The Mets have Monday off before facing the Yankees in Game 1 of the Subway Series on Tuesday night at 7:10 p.m. at Citi Field.
Max Scherzer is set to take the mound for the Mets, while the Yankees will counter with Luis Severino.