(Updated: ADDS Valverde release and firing of hitting coach in NOTEBOOK)
Pirates 5, Mets 3: Gaby Sanchez delivered a pinch-hit homer and singled home the tiebreaking run in the ninth as visiting Pittsburgh won the opener of the three-game series.
Catcher Russell Martin added a run-scoring double in the ninth and Jose Tabata had a pinch-hit RBI single for the Pirates, who also got two hits and a run apiece from Neil Walker and Andrew McCutchen. Tony Watson (5-0) pitched a scoreless eighth and Mark Melancon worked around a leadoff homer to earn his 10th save as Pittsburgh improved to 5-1 in its last six.
New York wasted 6 2/3 scoreless innings and a pair of singles from rookie Jacob deGrom before Jose Valverde (1-1) and the bullpen imploded en route to falling to 7-17 in May. Lucas Duda homered and Daniel Murphy had an RBI single for the Mets, who fell to 11-17 at home.
New York scored twice in the fifth with a two-out rally started by deGrom, who singled to left before Juan Lagares drew a walk and Murphy singled. Right fielder Josh Harrison threw wildly past third as deGrom scored, but Pedro Alvarez recovered to throw out Lagares at the plate – only to have the play overturned when it was ruled that Martin blocked the plate.
Pittsburgh rallied against New York’s bullpen on Sanchez’s pinch-hit blast off Scott Rice in the eighth before Starling Marte doubled off Valverde and scored on Tabata’s pinch-hit single. Valverde ran into more trouble in the ninth, giving up a one-out single to Walker and McCutchen before Sanchez grounded a single to left, with both runners scoring when left fielder Curtis Granderson’s throw got past catcher Juan Centeno.
GAME NOTEBOOK: The Mets made two moves immediately after the game, releasing Valverde and firing hitting coach Dave Hudgens, who will be replaced by Lamar Johnson. … DeGrom became the first pitcher in franchise history to get a hit in each of his first three career games. … Pirates RHP Brandon Cumpton gave up one earned run in six innings while 1B Ike Davis, acquired from New York last month, went 0-for-2 to snap his six-game hitting streak. … The Mets placed OF Eric Young Jr. (right hamstring) on the 15-day disabled list and promoted OF Matt den Dekker from Triple-A Las Vegas. … RHP Noah Syndergaard, New York’s top pitching prospect who is 5-2 at Las Vegas, is headed to New York to be examined for a mild flexor-pronator strain on the inside of his right elbow.
