The Pittsburgh Pirates crushed the New York Mets 9-1 to open a three-game series at PNC Park on Friday night.<\/p>\n
Mitch Keller worked into the sixth inning and notched his first win since his season debut, while the offense exploded for nine runs on 12 hits.<\/p>\n
The Pirates (33-50) will try and earn a series win as their series with the Mets (48-35) continues on Saturday.<\/p>\n
First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on SportsNet Pittsburgh and 93.7 The Fan.<\/p>\n
Weather<\/p>\n
A chance for thunderstorms around the start of the game with temperatures in the low 80s. Winds WSW at 8-9 mph.<\/p>\n
LHP Bailey Falter (6-3, 3.59 ERA) Will Start For the Pirates<\/p>\n
Falter walked five batters and allowed three runs on six hits in 5.1 innings in his last start against the Texas Rangers on Sunday.<\/p>\n
June has been a shaky month for the left-hander, who, despite a 2-0 record in four starts, has posted a 5.12 ERA (11er\/21.1ip).<\/p>\n
Falter finished with the second-best ERA in May (0.76) in six starts, behind only the Royals\u2019 Kris Bubic (0.56 ERA).<\/p>\n
In seven career appearances agaisnt the Mets, Falter is 1-3 with a 3.33 ERA.<\/p>\n
RHP Paul Blackburn (0-2, 6.62 ERA) Will Start For the Mets<\/p>\n
Blackburn has made five appearances, three of which have been starts, since coming off the injured list on June 2.<\/p>\n
He last pitched against the Atlanta Braves on Monday and allowed three runs on six hits with a season-high five strikeouts in 4.2 innings.<\/p>\n
After throwing 5.0-shutout innings against the Los Angeles Dodgers in his season debut, Blackburn has allowed at least three runs in each of his last four appearances and has a 9.24 ERA (13er\/12.2ip).<\/p>\n
This will be his first time facing the Pirates.<\/p>\n
Mets Hitters vs. Falter<\/p>\n
Brandon Nimmo: 6 for 14, one home run, one RBI, four strikeouts
\nFrancisco Lindor: 3 for 10, five walks, one strikeout
\nPete Alonso: 1 for 10, one home run, three RBI, two walks, two strikeouts
\nTyrone Taylor: 3 for 9, one double, two strikeouts
\nStarling Marte: 2 for 9, one home run, two RBI, one walk, two strikeouts
\nJuan Soto: 3 for 8, three RBI
\nJeff McNeil: 1 for 8, two strikeouts
\nLuis Torrens: 2 for 5, one strikeout
\nMark Vientos: 1 for 5, one strikeout<\/p>\n
Pirates Hitters vs. Blackburn<\/p>\n
Adam Frazier: 1 for 7, one double, two strikeouts
\nIsiah Kiner-Falefa: 1 for 2<\/p>\n
Tidbits<\/p>\n
Mitch Keller had lost 10 striaght decisions since his last win on March 28. The last Pirates\u2019 pitcher to lose at least 10 in a row was Jose DeLeon, who dropped 11-straight in 1985.
\nKeller\u2019s win at PNC Park was his first since last season on July 8 against the Mets. He was 0-10 across his last 16 starts entering play.
\nBailey Falter has won a career-high tying five straight decisions dating back to May 9.<\/p>\n
Links<\/p>\n
Perrotto: Don Kelly Has Long Been High on Genesis Cabrera<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cTo Get Him the Win Was Great,\u201d Mitch Keller Puts End to Lengthy Drought<\/a><\/p>\n Bryan Reynolds, Pirates Rout Mets; Finally Some Runs for Mitch Keller!<\/a><\/p>\n Pirates Trade Rumors: \u2018Trade of Keller Possible, if Not Likely,\u2019 Skenes, McCutchen Only Untouchables<\/a><\/p>\n Around the Network<\/p>\n Pittsburgh Hockey Now: Dubas Explains Penguins First Round Picks, Trade Attempts<\/a><\/p>\n Steelers Now: Insider Provides Big Update on T.J. Watt\u2019s Contract Situation with Steelers<\/a><\/p>\n Pittsburgh Sports Now: Pitt\u2019s Zack Austin Signs Contract with Oklahoma Thunder<\/a><\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO PBN+<\/p>\n