Pirates at Mets
The New York Mets broke out of a brief power slump with four home runs in the opener of a three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The Mets will try to put forth another home run-heavy performance when the teams continue the set Saturday at Citi Field.
After going without a home run in two straight games for the first time since the end of May, New York slugged four of them in a 6-3 triumph to begin the series. Rookie Pete Alonso hit his 34th of the year and three others went deep as the Mets improved to 8-4 over its last 12 games. The Pirates have lost six in a row overall and eight of their last nine on the road after going 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position Friday. They'll give the ball to Trevor Williams on Saturday while the hosts turn to lefty Steven Matz.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, WPIX (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Pirates RH Trevor Williams (3-3, 4.96 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (5-6, 4.75)
Williams allowed one earned run in five innings with seven strikeouts in a no-decision against St. Louis on Monday. He has allowed 10 home runs over his last six starts after giving up only three through his first eight appearances. The 27-year-old is 2-0 with a 0.69 ERA in two career starts versus New York.
Matz opened the month in the bullpen but has returned to the rotation with a pair of solid starts, including six innings of two-run ball at San Francisco his last time out. He is 3-0 with a 2.54 ERA at home this year. The 28-year-old owns a 4.50 ERA in three career matchups with the Pirates.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Mets optioned RHP Walker Lockett to Triple-A Syracuse to make room for RHP Zack Wheeler, who started Friday's game.
2. Pirates OF Corey Dickerson left Friday's game with left groin discomfort.
3. Mets RHP Seth Lugo picked up his first save of the year a night after regular closer Edwin Diaz took a line drive off his foot in Thursday's win over San Diego.