Mets top Pirates 2-1 on June 27, 2025, as Kodai Senga's gem and a Juan Soto homer lead the way. See how this crucial win keeps their playoff hopes alive.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Exhale, Mets fans. In a game that felt like a must-win to stop the bleeding, the Mets delivered a nail-biting 2-1 victory over the Pirates on Friday night. It wasn't an offensive explosion, but it was exactly what the doctor ordered: a dominant ace, a clutch home run, and a lights-out closer. This was old-school, fundamental baseball, and it was just enough to get the team back in the win column and keep their Wild Card hopes burning bright.
After a stretch where the Mets averaged just three runs per game and scored two or fewer in six of eight contests, Friday's win felt like a massive step forward.
The formula for this crucial win was simple and beautiful. First, Kodai Senga was absolutely masterful. The Ghost Fork was dancing as he carved through the Pirates' lineup for seven innings, allowing just one run while striking out six. He gave the team the length and dominance it has desperately needed. Then came the offense, or rather, the one big swing that mattered. Juan Soto continued his torrid power display, launching a solo shot in the fourth inning that put the Mets on the board and energized the dugout. After the bullpen held the line, thanks in part to a spectacular diving stop by Francisco Lindor in the eighth, it was trumpet time. Edwin Díaz slammed the door for his 17th save, sealing a win that felt much bigger than the 2-1 score. Manager Carlos Mendoza pointed to improved plate discipline as a key, and while the runs didn't come in bunches, the team avoided chasing and made their hits count.
While the big club fights for a playoff spot, the future of the organization continues to take shape. The early returns on the 2025 rookie class have been mixed. Luisangel Acuña, after a blazing April that earned him Rookie of the Month honors, has cooled off considerably at the plate, a reminder of the league's ability to adjust. Similarly, Dedniel Nuñez, a bullpen weapon in 2024, is fighting to regain his command after returning from a forearm injury. But further down the pipeline, the news is electric. The High-A Brooklyn Cyclones have a trio of sluggers in Jacob Reimer, AJ Ewing, and Carson Benge, all boasting an OPS over .950. Jett Williams is holding his own and flashing his tools at Double-A, while pitchers Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong are quickly looking like reinforcements who could help the Mets in the near future.
One win doesn't erase a tough stretch, but this 2-1 victory over Pittsburgh feels different. It provides a clear blueprint: elite starting pitching, timely power from your superstars, solid defense, and a lockdown bullpen. As the offense works to find its consistency, this formula can keep the Mets competitive every single night. For now, the trade front is quiet, but every win and every prospect's performance is being scrutinized. The Mets need to stack a few more of these gritty wins together to prove this wasn't just a one-night reprieve, but the start of a mid-season surge.
