Pirates gather for 4 points in 9th to beat the besieged Mets 5-3

NEW YORK (AP) – David Freese has signed a two-way tie and the Pittsburgh Pirates have rallied for four points in the ninth inning to beat the New York Mets 5-3 on Wednesday night.

Gregory Polanco had a RBI single and Josh Bell added a sacrificial fly to the ninth, the Pirates, defeated by Zack Wheeler much of the night, came back against a besieged New York club for the second time in eight games.

Wilmer Flores dominated and Asdrubal Cabrera had three hits for New York, who lost eight out of nine. Soul relievers have 21 losses this season, most in the majors.

One night after taking a skid of seven games, the Mets (32-46) completed a home stay of 1-5, losing for the 15th time in their last 17 games at Citi Field. They lost 25 out of 32 overall and played 11 straight sets without winning one.

Elias Diaz started the comeback with a single in attack on a field of 0 to 2 more closely Jeurys Familia (3-4). Corey Dickerson also scored on a score of 0-2, sending Diaz to third place. Polanco drove to Diaz with a single for the Pirates' third forehand.

Familia, who threw 28 shots at a goal-free exit on Tuesday, was lifted after stepping on four shots to charge Jordy Mercer's bases. It was the first time in her career that Familia took the mound and failed to come out.

Freese propelled Anthony Swarzak's first throw to center right to lead Dickerson and Polanco, giving Pittsburgh a 4-3 lead. Freese had come under a double change to the eighth.

Bell's sacrificial fly made it 5-3, and the Pirates took two of the three in the series.

Felipe Vazquez (3-2) launched two scoreless innings for the win.

A dominant Wheeler played four hits in seven scoreless innings. He pulled out seven and started first-round strikes on 20 of his 26 batters. But after his puck has a 3-0 lead, the right-hander is 0-5 in 11 starts since his last win on April 29 in San Diego.

Pittsburgh broke in the eighth against Robert Gsellman. Starling Marte took the lead with a brace, stole his third base of the series and scored on the sacrificial fly of Austin Meadows.

Bell chose to chase Gsellman, but rookie Tim Peterson came out of the heat.

Jose Bautista hit a RBI double in the third and scored on Asdrubal Cabrera's single to put the Mets ahead 2-0. Flores, who had seven runs produced in the series, added a solo homerun in the sixth Ivan Nova start.

TRAINER ROOM

Mets: RHP Noah Syndergaard (finger) pitched a paddock Tuesday and looked good, according to manager Mickey Callaway. Syndergaard has launched all his throws and will progress to the attackers. . Callaway said the outfielders Jay Bruce (hip) and Yoenis Cespedes (hip flexor) are both day by day with pain and the team is waiting for it to calm down before increasing their activity. Cespedes is expected to meet the coaching staff during the next trip to Miami. … DE Brandon Nimmo was 0-4 with three strikeouts on his return to the top of the formation. Nimmo came on the bench in the previous two games after being hit by a pitch on pinkie right Sunday.

Pirates: C Francisco Cervelli (concussion) was allowed to resume the exercise and underwent a 45-minute training session in Pittsburgh. … RHP Michael Feliz (shoulder) remains is not yet throwing but should play catch in the coming days. … After being removed from Tuesday's game with right forearm discomfort, RHP Chad Kuhl underwent a series of tests and an update is expected in the coming days.

SURVIVOR

The pear of a Callery pear tree that once stood on the site of the original World Trade Center was planted outside Citi Field in special recognition of Rusty Staub for his tireless work of charity through the Widowhood Provident Fund and children. Staub died on March 29th after an illness. The seedlings of the original tree, now known as the Survivor Tree, are planted to create lasting, living memorials for the victims of September 11th, their families, their communities, and the nation.

FOLLOWING

Mets: Start a three-game series in Miami on Friday. RHP Jacob deGrom (5-3, major league of -1.69) launched for New York, while the Marlins called upon Sandy Alcantara, a much-loved Triple-A New Orleans prospect, to make his 2018 debut. Alcantara, a 22-year-old right-hander, was acquired from St. Louis as part of a package for all-star outfielder Marcell Ozuna in the offseason.

Pirates: Open a three-game series in San Diego on Friday. Joe Musgrove (2-3, 4.59 ERA) starts for Pittsburgh in his hometown. The 25-year-old right-hander has struggled lately, allowing 16 earned runs in his last four starts.

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