Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets Live Streaming Major League Online Radio Commentary Audio Station with Review Power Ranking Yes Network Biography Stats Record 5/31. Missing the red-hot Jose Reyes for up to a week seemed like bad timing for a New York Mets team already missing a few of its regulars.
As long as they're facing the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Mets probably don't mind.
New York tries Tuesday night to improve to 9-0 at Citi Field against the Pirates, who haven't been taking full advantage of their stellar starting pitching.
Reyes received word Monday afternoon his grandmother had died, and the NL leader in doubles (17) and stolen bases (19) flew home to the Dominican Republic and was placed on the bereavement list.
That means Reyes, who was hitting .519 in his past six games, will miss three to seven days.
New York (25-28) didn't need him Monday night. The Mets followed Sunday's season-high 17-hit effort against the Phillies with 15 more against the Pirates (24-28), getting three hits apiece from Daniel Murphy, Angel Pagan and Ruben Tejada in a 7-3 win.
"We'll try to ride this wave as long as we can," said catcher Josh Thole, who has seven RBIs in his last four games.
New York now has its first consecutive victories since a three-game streak May 18-20, despite playing Monday's game with only three regulars in the lineup. David Wright (back) and Ike Davis (ankle) remain on the disabled list, while Jason Bay was given a planned day off.
Bay will likely return Tuesday to face his original club, but the Mets don't need any more help when Pittsburgh pays a visit to Queens. They've outscored the Pirates 56-21 while winning all eight meetings since Citi Field opened in 2009.
Pittsburgh hopes James McDonald (3-3, 5.23 ERA) can stop that skid and extend an impressive streak by the team's rotation. Pirates starters have allowed two earned runs or fewer in 11 consecutive games, the majors' longest such streak this season and the franchise's longest since a 12-game string May 23-June 3, 1984.
Despite outscoring its opponents 47-26 since May 18, Pittsburgh is just 6-5 in that span.
McDonald has given up two runs or fewer in five of his last six starts, bouncing back after going 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA in his first four outings. The right-hander surrendered two runs over six innings Wednesday in a 4-2, 11-inning loss to Atlanta, one of 20 times Pittsburgh has failed to score more than two runs.
"We've got to find a way to pick up our pitchers more than we have seven weeks into the season," manager Clint Hurdle told the Pirates' official website.
Run support was also an issue in McDonald's lone start at Citi Field. He gave up five hits over eight scoreless innings Sept. 13, but got no help as the Mets won 1-0 in 10 innings.
R.A. Dickey (2-5, 4.50) gets the ball for New York, which probably isn't sure what to expect from the knuckleballer. Dickey left in the third inning Thursday against the Cubs, partially tearing the plantar fascia in his right heel while trying to cover first base.
He's been given the go-ahead, though, after throwing a bullpen session Sunday and simulating fielding drills Monday.
"It's definitely something you can play through," Dickey, who's 0-4 with a 5.85 ERA at home, told the Mets' official website. "All the signs point to the fact that it's going to be getting better as we go along here."
Facing the Pirates could make him feel even better. He pitched a five-hitter in a 9-1 victory Sept. 14, his lone start against Pittsburgh in a Mets uniform.
As long as they're facing the Pittsburgh Pirates, the Mets probably don't mind.
7:10 PM ET, May 31, 2011
Citi Field, New York, NY
Reyes received word Monday afternoon his grandmother had died, and the NL leader in doubles (17) and stolen bases (19) flew home to the Dominican Republic and was placed on the bereavement list.
That means Reyes, who was hitting .519 in his past six games, will miss three to seven days.
New York (25-28) didn't need him Monday night. The Mets followed Sunday's season-high 17-hit effort against the Phillies with 15 more against the Pirates (24-28), getting three hits apiece from Daniel Murphy, Angel Pagan and Ruben Tejada in a 7-3 win.
"We'll try to ride this wave as long as we can," said catcher Josh Thole, who has seven RBIs in his last four games.
New York now has its first consecutive victories since a three-game streak May 18-20, despite playing Monday's game with only three regulars in the lineup. David Wright (back) and Ike Davis (ankle) remain on the disabled list, while Jason Bay was given a planned day off.
Bay will likely return Tuesday to face his original club, but the Mets don't need any more help when Pittsburgh pays a visit to Queens. They've outscored the Pirates 56-21 while winning all eight meetings since Citi Field opened in 2009.
Pittsburgh hopes James McDonald (3-3, 5.23 ERA) can stop that skid and extend an impressive streak by the team's rotation. Pirates starters have allowed two earned runs or fewer in 11 consecutive games, the majors' longest such streak this season and the franchise's longest since a 12-game string May 23-June 3, 1984.
Despite outscoring its opponents 47-26 since May 18, Pittsburgh is just 6-5 in that span.
McDonald has given up two runs or fewer in five of his last six starts, bouncing back after going 0-2 with a 10.13 ERA in his first four outings. The right-hander surrendered two runs over six innings Wednesday in a 4-2, 11-inning loss to Atlanta, one of 20 times Pittsburgh has failed to score more than two runs.
"We've got to find a way to pick up our pitchers more than we have seven weeks into the season," manager Clint Hurdle told the Pirates' official website.
Run support was also an issue in McDonald's lone start at Citi Field. He gave up five hits over eight scoreless innings Sept. 13, but got no help as the Mets won 1-0 in 10 innings.
R.A. Dickey (2-5, 4.50) gets the ball for New York, which probably isn't sure what to expect from the knuckleballer. Dickey left in the third inning Thursday against the Cubs, partially tearing the plantar fascia in his right heel while trying to cover first base.
He's been given the go-ahead, though, after throwing a bullpen session Sunday and simulating fielding drills Monday.
"It's definitely something you can play through," Dickey, who's 0-4 with a 5.85 ERA at home, told the Mets' official website. "All the signs point to the fact that it's going to be getting better as we go along here."
Facing the Pirates could make him feel even better. He pitched a five-hitter in a 9-1 victory Sept. 14, his lone start against Pittsburgh in a Mets uniform.
