The Pittsburgh Pirates snapped their season-opening skid with a 4-3 extra-inning victory over the New York Mets, highlighted by Ryan O’Hearn’s go-ahead single and a game-saving throw from the outfield to nail the tying run at the plate.
The Pittsburgh Pirates avoided their first 0-3 start since 2015 by edging the New York Mets 4-3 in 10 innings on Sunday, a result that shifts the early-season narrative for both clubs Associated Press.
Ryan O’Hearn spearheaded the Pirates’ offense with three hits and two RBIs, including the decisive single in the top of the 10th off Mets reliever Richard Lovelady. Henry Davis followed with a critical RBI single two outs later, extending the lead to 4-2 and providing crucial insurance runs.
The Mets rallied in the bottom half, with Juan Soto driving in a run on an RBI double. However, the Pirates’ defense delivered a moment of clutch execution: on Francisco Lindor‘s attempt to score from first base, a relay from center fielder Oneil Cruz to shortstop Jared Triolo to catcher Henry Davis resulted in a perfect throw that cut down Lindor at the plate for the first out.
After Bo Bichette grounded out to move Soto to third, Jorge Polanco flew out to the right-field fence to end the game, preserving the Pirates’ first win.
On the mound, Dennis Santana pitched a scoreless 10th to earn the win, while José Urquidy secured his first career save in his Pirates debut with three outs. For New York, rookie Nolan McLean struck out eight over five innings, but the Mets’ lineup struck out 16 times overall, undermining their offensive potential.
Brandon Lowe continued his torrid start, homering and reaching base four times. Lowe is now 5-for-12 with three home runs and four RBIs through the series, providing immediate power for Pittsburgh’s lineup.
Pirates starter Carmen Mlodzinski delivered a career-high eight strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs. His performance, combined with the bullpen’s resilience, was pivotal in overcoming the Mets’ late surge.
Why This Win Matters for Pittsburgh
Securing the first win is a psychological boost for a Pirates team seeking to build on a promising offseason. Avoiding an 0-3 hole prevents early-season panic and validates the aggressive roster construction that included adding Lowe and Urquidy. For a franchise with playoff aspirations, starting 1-2 instead of 0-3 maintains momentum and fan optimism.
The Mets, meanwhile, must reconcile a potent offense that struck out 16 times with a bullpen that allowed the go-ahead runs. The loss underscores the importance of execution in high-leverage moments, especially with closer Edwin Díaz not yet appearing in the early series.
Key Plays That Decided the Game
- Top 10th: After Henry Davis opened the inning with an RBI single off Richard Lovelady, Ryan O’Hearn followed with his go-ahead single, giving Pittsburgh a 4-2 lead.
- Bottom 10th: Juan Soto‘s RBI double brought the Mets within one, but Francisco Lindor was thrown out at home on a relay from Oneil Cruz to Jared Triolo to Henry Davis, a play that preserved the lead.
- Pitching: Dennis Santana and José Urquidy combined for a perfect 1 2/3 innings, neutralizing the Mets’ final threat.
Looking Ahead
The Pirates (1-2) begin a road series in Cincinnati against the Reds, with RHP Braxton Ashcraft (4-4, 2.71 ERA) facing RHP Chase Burns (0-3, 4.57) on Monday. The Mets (2-1) head to St. Louis for a series against the Cardinals, where RHP Clay Holmes (12-8, 3.53 ERA) makes his season debut against RHP Kyle Leahy (4-2, 3.07).
For the fastest, most authoritative sports analysis on breaking news, onlytrustedinfo.com delivers the insights you need to stay ahead of the game.
