The Mets shut out the Pirates 3-0 on Friday behind a spectacular start from Steven Matz and a pair of home runs. >> Box score

Five takeaways from Saturday's game

1) Steven Matz pitched his best game since returning to the Mets' rotation, and the best game of his entire young career. Matz was simply masterful, pitching into the eighth inning for the first time since August 2016. In a scoreless game in the top of the sixth inning, Matz allowed runners to reach first and third with one out, but he quickly forced Melky Cabrera into an easy 5-4-3 double play to end the threat.

Matz went the distance for the first time in his career, allowing just five hits while striking out seven on just 99 pitches. It was just the eighth time in Mets history that a pitcher threw a complete game on less than 100 pitches, with Johan Santana being the most recent to accomplish the feat in 2012.

2) As good as Matz was, Pirates' starter Trevor Williams was even better early on. The right-hander held the Mets hitless through he first 4.2 innings. Finally, with two outs in the fifth, JD Davis, slammed a ball off the wall in right-center, giving the Mets their first hit of the night. He was left stranded at second when Matz struck out to end the frame.

3) Michael Conforto broke a scoreless tie with one out in the bottom of the sixth inning. Williams left a ball over the heart of the plate, and Conforto deposited the pitch into the upper deck in right. It was Conforto's first home run at Citi Field since June 13 against the Cardinals. The solo home run was Conforto's 19th on the season.

4) Davis provided some power for the Mets later in the game. With Todd Frazier on first base following a pop-up that fell harmlessly, Davis slammed a two-run home run to center field. Davis is likely to see more playing time with Dom Smith on the IL, and he made the most of his start on Saturday.

5) Jeff McNeil had a rare 0-4 night with a couple of strikeouts.

Highlights

Video: Michael Conforto launches solo HR

Video: WATCH: J.D. Davis clubs two-run HR

What's next

The Mets and Pirates wrap up their series on Sunday at 1:10 p.m. at Citi Field. Jason Vargas (5-5, 3.96 ERA) will get the ball for the Mets, opposed by Pirates righty Chris Archer (3-7, 5.40 ERA).

Five takeaways from Saturday's game

Highlights

What's next

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