Luis Robert Jr.’s 11th-Inning 3-Run Homer Lifts Mets Over Pirates

Game Recap and Late-Inning Drama

The New York Mets stunned the Pittsburgh Pirates in dramatic fashion, riding a walk-off three-run homer by Luis Robert Jr. in the bottom of the 11th to win 4-2 on Saturday. The afternoon felt more like early spring than baseball weather, with temperatures barely reaching 42 degrees. Robert’s late blast capped off a tense game that really showed off New York’s new slugger and a bullpen that just wouldn’t break.

Robert, who came over from the White Sox in January, had already fired up the Mets’ offense with two RBI singles in his debut on Thursday. That set the stage for a victory that, honestly, felt pretty well-earned.

Early on, neither team could get anything going. Mitch Keller and David Peterson traded zeroes through the first nine innings, both looking sharp in the cold.

Pittsburgh tried to manufacture offense, but the Pirates only managed two hits with runners in scoring position. They left a whopping 17 men on base. That’s just brutal.

The Mets finally broke through in the 10th, but not without some drama. Nick Gonzales lined an RBI single for Pittsburgh, putting the Pirates ahead for a heartbeat.

Then Luis Torrens answered right away in the bottom half with a first-pitch base hit to tie it up. That kept the tension high and pushed the game into the 11th, where things really got interesting.

Luis Robert Jr.: Walk-off Hero and a Rising Met

In the top of the 11th, Bryan Reynolds poked a two-out infield single, giving Pittsburgh a brief lead. But the Mets had other plans.

Robert jumped on a 1-0 slider and launched it into the left-center field seats for a three-run walk-off homer. The place erupted. That was Robert’s first homer as a Met and just the second walk-off of his career.

He’s already looking like a trusted late-inning bat in New York. Saturday’s show just adds to the momentum he started with those two RBI singles in his debut. No wonder the Mets wanted him so badly in January.

Pitching, Defense and Cold-Weather Battle

This one was all about pitching, at least until the bats finally woke up. Peterson gave the Mets 5 1/3 innings, scattering six singles and two walks.

Keller matched him pitch for pitch, allowing just three singles and no walks over six frames for the Pirates. The difference came late, when the Mets finally broke through in the 10th and then finished it off in the 11th.

The Pirates just couldn’t cash in, going 2-for-17 with runners in scoring position and leaving 17 men stranded. That’s the kind of stat that makes you shake your head.

Hunter Barco took the loss for Pittsburgh after working the 10th, while Richard Lovelady got the win in relief for New York. Both teams leaned on their bullpens, but only one came out smiling.

Series Outlook and What’s Next

The Mets and Pirates wrap up the series on Sunday. Mets rookie Nolan McLean is set to start against Pirates right-hander Carmen Mlodzinski.

With Saturday’s win, New York steadies its position as both clubs push toward Sunday’s finale. The Mets will hope Robert’s hot streak keeps rolling as the season starts to heat up, at least a little.

Stat Line Highlights and Takeaways

• Final score: Mets 4, Pirates 2.
• Pirates’ trouble with RISP: They went just 2-for-18 with runners in scoring position. Seventeen left on base—ouch.
• Key plays: Nick Gonzales knocked in a run with an RBI single in the 10th. Luis Torrens answered and tied things up in that same inning. Bryan Reynolds managed an infield single in the 11th that, for a moment, put Pittsburgh ahead.
• Winners and losers: Reliever Richard Lovelady picked up the win for the Mets. Hunter Barco took the loss for the Pirates.
• Robert’s night: He hit his first Mets homer and notched the second walk-off of his career. After a breakout debut week with two RBI singles, he’s definitely making noise.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Mets rally past the Pirates 4-2 on a 3-run homer by Luis Robert Jr. in the 11th inning