Pittsburgh Pirates Have Four Game Winning Streak Snapped By the Mets

Coming off a four-game sweep of the Cincinnati Reds, the Pittsburgh Pirates lost their series opener against the New York Mets in Queens on Thursday night

In what has become one of the coolest moments of each season, each member of the Pittsburgh Pirates rocked no. 21 on their back as part of Roberto Clemente Day on Thursday. This came as the Pirates were looking to extend their four-game winning streak to five games.

Facing the New York Mets who are entrenched in a tight race in the National League East, the Pirates failed to extend their winning streak to five games as they came up short on Roberto Clemente Day. The Pirates fell to the Mets 7-1, dropping the Bucs to 55-89 on the season.

JT Brubaker struggles

Through the first four months of the season it appeared that JT Brubaker was taking a huge step forward as a MLB starting pitcher. Unfortunately, for a second consecutive season, Brubaker is limping down the stretch to the season’s finish line.

Thursday nigh Brubaker lasted just 3 innings, allowing 5 runs on seven hits, two walks, a home run, and five strikeouts. This came after it looked like it might be a strong start for Brubaker who struck out the first two batters he faced, before allowing three straight hits that plated a pair of runs in the 1st inning.

Across his last eight starts Brubaker has now posted a 6.57 ERA while allowing seven home runs (1.53 HR/9) in 41.1 innings pitched. He’s walked just 5.8% of batters faced, but has seen his strikeout rate drop to just 23.5% during this stretch. What once looked like a guaranteed rotation spot to begin the 2023 season may no longer be the case for Brubaker.

Pirate offense struggles mightily

Carlos Carrasco started for the Mets and was flat out dominant. In 6 innings pitched he allowed a run on four hits, two walks and struck out 11 Pirate batters. The run he allowed, which was the lone run of the night for the Pittsburgh Pirates, came when Michael Chavis doubled home Cal Mitchell in the 2nd inning.

The Pirate offense went just 4-for-31 at the plate with a pair of walks. Mitchell drew both walks, and Chavis had a single in addition to his run-scoring double. The other two Pirate hits were a pair of singles that were hit by Bryan Reynolds.

Pirate bullpen struggles

Eric Stout was re-called before the game and was the first reliever Derek Shelton went to. Stout allowed a run on a hit, two walks and two strikeouts in 2 innings pitched. After Robert Stephenson pitched a scoreless inning, Yohan Ramirez was next up.

Ramirez loaded the bases in the 8th inning and allowed a run when he hit Pete Alonso with a pitch with the bases loaded. Ramirez allowed a run on two hits, two walks, a hit batter, and three strikeouts.

Mitch Keller (4.01 ERA, 3.86 FIP) is slated two start game two of the series for the Pirates, while the Mets plan to send Taijuan Walker (3.48 ERA, 3.72 FIP) to the mound. First pitch from Citi Field is scheduled for 7:10 PM ET.