Pirates 9, Mets 1
PITTSBURGH -- Left-hander Francisco Liriano struck out a season-high 12 batters while left fielder Starling Marte and center fielder Andrew McCutchen each hit home runs as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the New York Mets 9-1 on Sunday.
The Pirates' win completed a three-game sweep over the Mets.
Liriano (2-4) gave up one run on six hits in six innings and walked two.
Liriano's double-digit strikeout tally marked the first time since Sept. 11-12, 1969, the Pirates had three consecutive starters strike out 10 or more hitters after Gerrit Cole and A.J. Burnett each struck out 10 in their starts Friday and Saturday, respectively.
The last occurrence came when Pirates left-hander Bob Veale struck out 12 against St. Louis Sept. 11, 1969, before right-hander Bob Moose struck out 10 and right-hander Dock Ellis 11 in a doubleheader against the Mets on Sept. 12, 1969.
Marte broke the game open in the sixth with his ninth home run of the season. He sent the first pitch he saw from New York right-hander Erik Goeddel to the bleachers in left field with McCutchen and right fielder Gregory Polanco on base, extending the Pirates lead to 7-1.
The Pirates tacked on two more in the seventh when second baseman Josh Harrison hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to center and pinch hitter Corey Hart rolled a ball up the middle for a RBI single.
Pittsburgh shortstop Jordy Mercer put the Pirates on the board in the fourth inning with a double to left field. Catcher Francisco Cervelli scored on the play after reaching on an infield single for a 1-0 Pirates lead.
Mets shortstop Wilmer Flores tied the score in the next inning with his second hit of the day. Third baseman Ruben Tejada scored from second after drawing a walk to lead off the fifth.
First baseman Michael Cuddyer followed with a single and second baseman Daniel Murphy walked to load the bases with two outs, but the Mets couldn't capitalize as left fielder John Mayberry Jr. struck out swinging.
The Pirates quickly took the lead back as right fielder Jose Tabata walked and McCutchen hit a two-run home run to center for a 3-1 lead. Shortstop Jung Ho Kang walked with one out then scored from second when Cervelli lofted a RBI single to left-center field with two outs.
Cervelli's base hit chased Mets left-hander Jonathon Niese from the game as he gave up four runs on seven hits in 4 2/3 innings. Niese struck out six and walked four.
NOTES: Mets OF Juan Lagares (elbow) and 1B Lucas Duda (hamstring) were out of the lineup Sunday. ... Pirates OF Jose Tabata started for the first time this season. ... The Mets conclude a 14-game stretch against the National League Central on Sunday, during which they went 4-10.