Asdrubal Cabrera homered and drove in a season-high four runs as the Mets defeated the Pirates, 12-6, for their third straight win on Thursday night at PNC Park.
For a full box score of the game, click here.
Things you should know about tonight's game...
1) Cabrera snapped an 0-for-16 skid with an RBI double in the third inning and connected on a two-run homer in the fourth, his 18th of the season. He added an RBI groundout during the Mets' three-run seventh and doubled in the ninth.
2) Steven Matz matched his career high with nine strikeouts over six innings while allowing four runs to snap a three-game losing streak. The southpaw surrendered three hits and walked two. All four runs against Matz (5-8) came on a pair of two-run homers by David Freese and Josh Harrison.
3) Wilmer Flores had two hits -- including a first-inning two-run blast -- as well as a sacrifice fly and Amed Rosario singled twice, scored two times and drove in a run. Brandon Nimmo doubled and walked three times in five plate appearances and Devin Mesoraco and Matt den Dekker each had a sacrifice fly.
4) Paul Sewald allowed a run in the seventh, Jerry Blevins pitched a scoreless eighth and Drew Smith surrendered a run in the ninth.
News and notes...
The Mets earned their first three-game winning streak since June 16-18 and just their second since winning nine straight from April 3-13.
New York's 12 runs are the most its scored since scoring 12 times at Colorado on June 18. It was tied for the Mets' second-highest scoring output of the season and their fifth game with 10 or more runs.
Matz's nine strikeouts matched a career-high done twice previously, both in 2016.
Cabrera entered the game 2-for-21 (.143) with seven strikeouts in five games since the All-Star break.
Rosario has four multi-hit efforts in his last 11 starts.
What's next...
The Mets (43-57) seek their fourth straight win as they continue their series with the Pirates (53-51) on Friday night at PNC Park at 7 p.m. on SNY.
Jason Vargas (2-6, 8.60 ERA/6.61 FIP, 32 K, 1.832 WHIP) will return from the disabled list prior to Friday's game after missing more than a month with a strained calf. The southpaw last started on June 19 against the Rockies when he was shelled for seven runs and nine hits in 2 1/3 innings. The outing marked the fourth time in nine starts Vargas surrendered five runs or more. He is 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA in four career appearances -- one start -- against the Pirates. Vargas has not faced Pittsburgh since 2015.
Ivan Nova (6-6, 4.28 ERA/4.57 FIP, 81 Ks, 1.262 WHIP) carries a 3.40 ERA in his previous eight starts into Friday's outing against New York. Nova surrendered two runs over 6 2/3 innings in a win over the Reds on Sunday. Nova took a no-decision agains the Mets on June 27 after he allowed three runs in six innings. The 31-year-old is 1-0 with a 3.18 ERA in five career appearances -- four starts -- against New York.