Harrison Bader has become the hero for the New York Mets once again, delivering a go-ahead double that propelled them to a comeback win against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The victory brings the Mets back to .500 on the season, showcasing their resilience and determination.
It was just a day after Bader’s crucial hit against the Royals that he came through for the Mets once again. This time, he blasted a double to left off Aroldis Chapman, putting the Mets ahead and contributing to their 6-3 win at Citi Field. This victory comes as the Mets have won three straight series, putting their disappointing 0-5 start firmly in the past. They now sit at 8-8, while the surprising Pirates fell to 11-7.
The game started as a pitchers’ duel between Adrian Houser and Pittsburgh lefty Martin Perez, with both teams unable to score through the first five innings. However, Pittsburgh broke through in the sixth, taking advantage of Houser’s five walks. Ke’Bryan Hayes led off with a walk and eventually scored on Andrew McCutchen’s single. The Pirates added two more runs with hits from Jack Suwinski and Connor Joe, putting the Mets in a 3-0 hole.
But the Mets didn’t stay down for long. In the bottom of the sixth, Starling Marte and Francisco Lindor hit hard-hit singles, setting up Pete Alonso. Unfortunately, Alonso popped out, but Brett Baty singled to load the bases for Francisco Alvarez. Alvarez drew a walk, bringing in the Mets’ first run. Jeff McNeil’s fly ball to right should have been an easy out, but an error by Joe allowed Lindor to score, narrowing the gap to just one run. D.J. Stewart then came in as a pinch-hitter and belted a game-tying double to right.
The game remained tied until the eighth inning when Bader once again stepped up. After hitting a two-run double, he stole third and scored on a fielder’s choice by Brandon Nimmo, giving the Mets a 6-3 lead. The bullpen, consisting of Brooks Raley and Adam Ottavino, held the Pirates scoreless to secure the win.
This victory marks the fourth win in five games for the Mets and showcases their ability to rally and come back from deficits. Bader’s contributions have been invaluable, proving that he is a key player for the team. As the Mets continue to improve, they are putting their disappointing start behind them and showing that they are a force to be reckoned with.
Overall, the Mets’ win against the Pirates exemplifies their resilience and determination. It is a testament to their ability to come back from deficits and showcases the importance of players like Harrison Bader. With their recent success, the Mets are on an upward trajectory and will undoubtedly be a team to watch as the season progresses.
