Final Score: Mets 8, Pirates 7 - Sunday sweeping

A big first inning allowed the Mets to cruise most of the way, and they hung on to finish a sweep of the Pirates with an 8-7 win. Michael Conforto got the festivities started with a two-run home run in the bottom of the first, and the Mets tallied six runs against Pirates starter Chris Archer before he finally escaped the inning. A bad error from Starling Marte allowed the Mets to tack on two more critical runs late that covered for some ninth inning drama.

Jason Vargas looked very much like himself in what could be his final start as a Met. He allowed the Pirates to chip away a bit, giving up three runs in 5.2 innings of work, but ultimately prevented any big blow ups and rode the cushion his offense provided. Seth Lugo and Justin Wilson tossed 2.1 scoreless innings before things got dicey in the ninth, when Tyler Bashlor and Edwin Diaz gave up two-run home runs. Diaz ultimately steadied thankfully, securing the win and the sweep.

The win keeps the Mets right on the periphery of reasonable contention with the deadline looming. They’ll be off tomorrow before starting a series with the White Sox on Tuesday.

Full recap to follow.

GameThread Roll Call

Nice job by MetsFan4Decades; her effort in the GameThread embiggens us all.

1. MetsFan4Decades: 137
2. Kepler: 71
3. StorkFan: 66
4. JR and the Off-Balance Shots: 43
5. John Oldnrude: 43
6. deegie: 37
7. AnneInFlushing: 23
8. LouMonte7: 20
9. Knurk: 10
10. Jets Mets Devils Nets 16: 10