The Mets had everything working in Sunday’s series finale against the Pittsburgh Pirates and won the rubber game, 11-1.
Here are the key takeaways…
— A day after getting shut out, New York’s offense broke out in a big way and returned to its recent form on this road trip with an 11-run and 15-hit performance.
Bo Bichette led the pack by going 5-for-5 (his second five-hit game of the season) with two doubles, a walk, three RBI and three runs scored. His bases clearing double was the big hit that blew the game wide open in a four-run fourth inning.
— Before that, the Mets had already mounted a big lead thanks to two runs in the first and three more in the third where Luis Robert Jr., who entered the day as a career .406 hitter in 18 games against the Pirates, unloaded a two-run shot to put New York ahead, 4-0. The home run traveled 408 feet to right center field – a rare spot for a right-handed hitter at PNC Park.
Robert finished 2-for-5 with a game-high four RBI and a run scored. He drove in three of the Mets’ first four runs after lifting a sacrifice fly in the first inning and he knocked in the team’s final run with an RBI single in the sixth.
— Jared Young also had a great day at the plate with a three-hit performance, including a triple (his second three-bagger of the road trip), that was aided by a defensive miscue. He also drove in a run and scored a run.
— Carson Benge, back in the lineup after a day off on Saturday to recover from wrist soreness after crashing into the left field wall on Friday, seemed completely unaffected by the injury scare and stayed hot, getting things started for New York in the first with a bases loaded check-swing single through the massive hole on the left side of the infield.
The rookie went 2-for-5 and has had multiple hits in his last three games and at least one hit in every game he’s started on the road trip. He’s up to a .272 average on the season with a .744 OPS.
— Francisco Alvarez got in the mix with a solo shot, his 13th of the year, in the fifth for his only hit of the game, although he walked and scored twice. Marcus Semien also drove in a run with a single and went 1-for-4 with a walk.
— A.J. Ewing went hitless in six at-bats at the top of the lineup but scored two runs on two walks. Behind Ewing, Francisco Lindor also didn’t have a hit until he singled in the ninth, but like Ewing he scored twice.
In the first inning, Lindor was hit by a pitch on the foot and was briefly looked at by trainers before being good to go.
— On the mound, Sean Manaea pitched like an ace. The left-hander went seven innings and allowed one run on three hits while striking out a season-high 11 batters and walking none. At one point Manaea struck out six in a row before it was broken up by Jake Mangum‘s solo home run, the only run the Pirates scored.
It was Manaea’s best start of the season and he looked like the 2024 version of himself. The veteran southpaw has looked a lot better lately and lowered his season ERA to 4.13 in 25 games (11 starts).
— Jack Weisenburger made his MLB debut and pitched the final two innings where he struck out two and allowed one hit.
Game MVP: Sean Manaea
Manaea gets the nod for his dominant performance and because the Mets offense split the vote between them.
Highlights
That’ll play!
Carson Benge gives the Mets an early lead with an RBI single pic.twitter.com/dcC4EOTNrz
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 9, 2026
A Luis Robert Jr. sac fly puts the Mets up 2-0 pic.twitter.com/whUVfB7W7Q
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 9, 2026
Luis Robert Jr. goes boom! 💥 pic.twitter.com/zP47iSHa9V
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 9, 2026
Jared Young with a triple as the ball gets past Jake Mangum in center field pic.twitter.com/nbcpwVsbFe
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 9, 2026
Marcus Semien is swinging 3-0 and giving the Mets a 5-0 lead pic.twitter.com/nBOXWd8N5i
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 9, 2026
Bo Bichette clears the bases! pic.twitter.com/DcKRmgDJLH
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 9, 2026
Jared Young extends the Met lead! pic.twitter.com/ocZMk1kVej
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 9, 2026
Francisco Alvarez launches his 13th home run of the year! pic.twitter.com/IhlCzLI4Q9
— SNY (@SNYtv) August 9, 2026
What’s next
The Mets continue their road trip on Monday night when they begin a three-game series with the Atlanta Braves starting at 7:15 p.m. on SNY.
RHP Christian Scott (3-3, 3.15 ERA) takes on RHP Bryce Elder (8-6, 3.69 ERA).
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