Mets fall to Pirates 9-1 on June 28 as Juan Soto's 20th homer isn't enough. David Peterson struggles on the mound, ending the team's brief winning streak.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
Just when we thought the Mets might be turning a corner, Saturday night in Pittsburgh served as a harsh reality check. After a brutal stretch of 10 losses in 11 games, two straight wins had fans breathing a sigh of relief. That relief was short-lived, as the Mets were dismantled 9-1 by the Pirates, with a Juan Soto solo shot being the only thing separating the team from a shutout.
Juan Soto's 20th home run of the season accounted for the Mets' only run in a 9-1 loss.
The hope that flickered after Soto's fourth-inning blast quickly faded as the pitching couldn't hold up. Starter David Peterson, who had shown flashes of stability, had a rough outing. He lasted just 4 2/3 innings, getting tagged for five runs on seven hits, ultimately taking his fourth loss of the season. The game was even paused for a 21-minute rain delay, but the break did little to slow the Pirates' momentum or help the Mets regroup. It was a step back for Peterson and a major reason the game got out of hand early.
The bullpen didn't offer any relief. In fact, things got worse. Blake Tidwell, just recalled from Triple-A Syracuse, was thrown into the fire in the sixth inning. It was a tough re-entry to the big leagues for the right-hander, who promptly served up a three-run homer to Bryan Reynolds, pushing the game completely out of reach. While it's just one outing, it's a reminder of the steep learning curve for young pitchers and the team's ongoing search for reliable bullpen arms.
In a game with so few positives, you have to find them where you can. Juan Soto continues to be everything the Mets paid for, launching his 20th home run of the season. He's a constant source of power in a lineup that desperately needs it. Beyond Soto, Brett Baty had a quietly solid night, lacing two doubles. While it didn't translate into runs, seeing Baty put together strong at-bats and find the gaps is an encouraging sign for the third baseman's development.
The Mets will try to wash away the sting of this blowout loss and salvage the series on Sunday. The ball will be in the hands of Paul Blackburn, who is still searching for his first win and looking to bring his 6.62 ERA down. He'll face a tough opponent in Pirates lefty Bailey Falter. The Mets need Blackburn to deliver a quality start and give the offense a chance to bounce back. Another loss would send the team tumbling back into the funk they just seemed to be escaping.
