Mets Morning News: Bucs sweep double-header, Niese dominant against former team

Meet the Mets

The Mets strung together just two runs over 18 innings at PNC Park on Tuesday, dropping both games of a double-header against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Steven Matz and Jacob deGrom each picked up their second loss of the season, while Jon Niese tossed seven scoreless innings in his first game facing his former team.

Choose your recap: Amazin' Avenue Game 1 and Game 2, MLB.com, ESPN, Post, NJ.com, Newsday, Daily News, USA Today,Times, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, BP Mets, Faith and Fear in Flushing.

Because Tuesday's double-header was scheduled with less than two days' notice, Eric Campbell was added to the Mets roster as the 26th man. Neither Campbell nor Wilfredo Boscan (the Pirates' 26th man) appeared in Tuesday's nightcap.

After facing a debuting Julio Urias earlier in the season, the Mets will face prospect Jameson Taillon on Wednesday. The 24-year-old Taillon was a 2010 first round draft pick.

Neil Walker received a warm reception in his return to PNC Park.

The struggling Yoenis Cespedes admitting feeling "a little bit lost at the plate" lately.

Logan Verrett will make a spot-start against the Brewers on Saturday, as a result of Monday's rainout.

Rene Rivera's ability to control the running game has given him an advantage over Kevin Plawecki.

Joel Sherman of the Post raved about Tigers starter Michael Fulmer, who was dealt for Yoenis Cespedes at the 2015 trade deadline.

Around the NL East

The Phillies earned a 3-2 victory over the league-best Chicago Cubs, as Jeanmar Gomez escaped trouble to record his 19th save.

Arodys Vizcaino suffered a blown save, resulting in Atlanta's 4-3 defeat to the San Diego Padres on Tuesday.

The Marlins squandered a four-run lead in a 6-4 loss to the Twins. Meanwhile, Miami prospect Stone Garrett will require surgery after a "knife prank" gone array.

With Tuesday's 10-5 victory over the White Sox, the Nationals now enjoy a 3.5 game lead over the Mets in the NL East.

Around the Majors

Yordano Ventura plunked Manny Machado after giving up six runs in Kansas City's 9-1 loss to Baltimore, leading to a bench-clearing brawl. Several members of the O's offered pointed remarks at Ventura, who's likely to receive a suspension and fine. In April of last season, Ventura was suspended seven games for his role in a fight with the White Sox.

Tuesday's slate of MLB games featured five walk-offs, the highest total in one day since Aug. 2011.

Nathaniel Grow of FanGraphs wrote about the new rule permitting "some recent MLB draftees to formally hire an agent while still retaining their collegiate eligibility."

The Rangers have been using a quote from Astros pitcher Ken Giles as motivation.

Jeff Todd of MLBTradeRumors offered this week's list of Top 10 trade candidates.

Yesterday at AA

Noel Purcell recapped the Mets' farm system in the Daily Prospect Report.

T.J. Zeuch and Nolan Jones were featured in Steve Sypa's 2016 Mets draft Preview.

Matt Varvaro wrote about the importance of drafting well, citing poor picks from the Steve Phillips and Jim Duquette years.

With David Wright out for an extended period, Chris McShane outlined several third base options for the Mets.

This Date in Mets History

On this date in 1962, Jay Hook went eight innings in a 4-3 win over the Cubs, helping end a 17-game losing streak.

Happy birthday to John Gibbons, Joe Grzenda, and Dave Mlicki!