David Freese drives in all five Pirates' runs to beat Mets in walk-off fashion on Friday at PNC Park.

For a full box score of the game, click here.

Things you should know about Friday's game

1. Jason Vargas took a slight step forward in his return from the disabled list, going 4.1 innings and giving up three earned runs. Vargas walked three batters and was taken out of the game after allowing a one-out walk to Jordan Luplow. Vargas made his first start since June 19 in Colorado, when he gave up seven earned runs in only 2.1 innings. His performance on Friday lowered his ERA to 8.36 from 8.60 on the season.

2. The Mets' bats got off to an early start against Ivan Nova. Wilmer Flores stretched a single into a double in the first inning thanks to sluggish play by Gregory Polanco in right field. Michael Conforto then came up with two men on and slugged a three-run homer to right field. Nova exited the game in the sixth after allowing back-to-back walks to Conforto and Jose Bautista. Jose Reyes lined out to left with the bases loaded later in the inning, but a throwing error by Luplow allowed Conforto to tag up from third, tying the game at four.

3. Seth Lugo entered the game in the bottom of the fifth to relieve Vargas. He allowed a single and a walk to load the bases for Freese. Freese came up big again with a two-out two-RBI single to give the Pirates a 4-3 lead. After the Mets tied the game at four, Tyler Bashlor got himself into trouble in the sixth. He escaped on a double play ball by Josh Harrison to preserve the tie. Jacob Rhame, Jerry Blevins and Anthony Swarzak combined to get through the eighth without allowing a run. Tim Peterson couldn't hold off the Pirates in the bottom of the ninth as he loaded the bases for David Freese who capped off his outstanding night with a walk-off single.

Friday night saw productivity from several hitters, but the Mets ultimately couldn't capitalize in key situations. They only managed one run in the sixth with the bases loaded, and Jose Reyes stranded two runners in the eighth. While disappointing to lose at all, it is frustrating to see the Mets hand over a game that they really should have won. The Pirates committed several errors that set up promising offensive situations for the Mets, but they failed to get the big hits that would have blown the game open.

Vargas' short outing did not come as a surprise after his month-plus on the sidelines. He showed improvement from his last start, but was still shaky. The Pirates made solid contact against Vargas, who was bailed out several times by his defense. Coming into Friday's game, Pittsburgh had won 11 of their last 13 games. This hot streak, however, came before injuries to Starling Marte and Corey Dickerson. Freese picked up the slack on Friday, accounting for each of the Pirates' five runs and providing the heroics off Peterson in the ninth.

Despite going 0-5 on the night, Amed Rosario continues to make strides as the starting shortstop, making several impressive defensive plays at short.

Prior to tonight's game, the Mets confirmed a trade of Asdrubal Cabrera to the Phillies for AA pitching prospect Franklyn Kilome. The 23-year-old right-hander is the Phillies' #10 prospect. He has a 4.24 ERA over 19 starts in AA.

Cabrera will certainly be missed in the Mets' lineup. He provided his fair share of exciting moments throughout his two-plus seasons with the team. Cabrera often played through injury and always gave 100 percent. This year, he's hitting .277 with 18 home runs and 58 RBIs. His batting average is almost identical to that of Phillies' current second baseman, Cesar Hernandez, but has slugged for 10 more home runs, and will be able to play multiple positions across the diamond.

News and notes

Brandon Nimmo continued his productivity on Friday after reaching base four times on Thursday. Nimmo doubled in the third inning as part of a three-hit night and reached base three times. He also showed off his defense in the third, laying out for a stellar catch to rob Luplow of an extra-base hit.

McNeil made the second start of his career for the Mets on Friday and his first at second base. He reached base in the sixth inning after laying down a perfect bunt to load the bases. Before Friday's game, McNeil reached base six out of seven plate appearances. He can look forward to consistent playing time at second in the absence of Cabrera.

Matt den Dekker was designated for assignment to make room for recently signed Austin Jackson. It's no secret that den Dekker has struggled this season: He was hitless in 18 at-bats on the season with nine strikeouts.

Jackson spent most of 2018 with the San Francisco Giants before being traded to the Texas Rangers on July 8. He was released by the Rangers shortly after and picked up by the Mets. The 31-year-old veteran is hitting .242 on the season. He struck out in the ninth in his first plate appearance as a Met.

What's next

Jacob deGrom (5-5, 1.71 ERA) faces Trevor Williams (8-7, 4.11 ERA) in the third game of the four-game series on Saturday at 7:05 p.m.

Popular in the Community