The game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Mets featured two of the National League’s best starters. Paul Skenes and Freddy Peralta opposed each other, receiving the opening day starts for their teams. The Pirates changed their offensive look. They added Ryan O’Hearn, Marcell Ozuna, and Brandon Lowe to the lineup. The Mets also strengthened their lineup. They added Bo Bichette, Luis Robert Jr, Marcus Semien, and Jorge Polanco. The Mets win game one 11-7.
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Starting Pitching
Paul Skenes struggled; he gave up five runs on four hits, two walks, and struck out one. He only threw 37 pitches in his first start of the year. While the outing wasn’t great, he received no help in Center Field. Oneil Cruz misplayed a ball off the bat of Brett Baty. This resulted in a bases-clearing triple. Cruz took his first few steps in on the fly ball. This left him scrambling as the ball was clearly over his head. This wouldn’t have changed the outcome much for Skenes. However, it definitely played a factor. To be exact, it was a three-run factor.
Freddy Peralta faced challenges. He struggled mainly with Brandon Lowe. Lowe hit two home runs in his first two at-bats for the Pirates. The first was a two-run home run in the first inning. Then, his second was a solo shot in the third inning. Peralta ended his day after pitching five innings. He allowed six hits and four earned runs. He walked no batters and struck out seven. Peralta earned the win on the day!
Key Contributors
Pittsburgh Pirates
As mentioned, newcomer Brandon Lowe had himself a day with the two home runs and three RBI. Ryan O’Hearn, another new addition to the Pirates lineup, had two hits with a solo home run. Nick Gonzalez had two hits, one double and two RBI as well for Pittsburgh. Nine-hitter Henry Davis hit a double. He drove in a run for Pittsburgh in the 11-7 loss to the Mets.
New York Mets
Juan Soto had a two-for-four day at the dish with an RBI. Luis Robert Jr also had a two-hit day and two RBI. Brett Baty’s three-run triple in the first was a great start for the Mets. Betty scored on Marcus Semien’s double; Semien had two hits, including the double, on the day. Francisco Alvarez and Carson Benge went back-to-back off Justin Lawrence in the Sixth inning.
Summary
Paul Skenes struggled. The Pirates got the offense they wanted. It came from two of the three new faces added to the lineup. Brandon Lowe and Ryan O’Hearn both swung the bat well on Thursday. Yohan Ramirez also pitched well in relief of Skenes. He pitched two and one-third innings without giving up a run, one hit, one walk, and struck out three.
For the Mets, 11 runs on a day that Paul Skenes pitches a great start to the regular season. Brett Baty, Luis Robert Jr, Carson Benge, and Francisco Alvarez all contributed. This is a terrific start to the new year for the Mets. This lineup has plenty of potential offensively. Tobias Myers was first out of the pen to relieve Peralta today. Myers three innings gave up one run, one hit, and struck out one.
Next Game
Game two of the series: March 28th, first pitch 4:10 PM at Citi Field. Mitch Keller will start for the Pirates against David Peterson for the Mets.
