Marcus Semien’s three-run homer in the third inning powered the New York Mets to a 6-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday, marking their fourth consecutive win and matching a season high.
Despite a less-than-stellar productivity this season, Semien delivered the Mets' loudest hit at PNC Park. The veteran second baseman’s home run, his second in as many games, came after Carson Benge hit RBI singles in the first and third innings, giving the Mets an early 2-0 lead. Jared Young’s single before Semien’s blast extended the Mets’ advantage.
Francisco Lindor added to the lead with an RBI single in the fourth, putting the Pirates in a 6-0 deficit.
Zac Thornton pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only four hits and two walks in a rebound performance after a shaky outing against the Marlins. Thornton lowered his earned run average to 2.52 after seven starts.
However, Benge departed in the fourth inning with left wrist discomfort after colliding with the left field fence in the previous inning while making a sliding catch. He remained in the game to complete the inning despite obvious discomfort.
Dedniel Nunez allowed two runs in the seventh, and Devin Williams gave up two runs on three hits and a walk in the ninth in a non-save situation. Jefry Yan secured all three outs in the seventh, continuing a solid start to his major league career.
Semien, who began the day with a .634 OPS, has been part of what the team views as disappointments from president of baseball operations David Stearns’ winter overhaul. His contract runs through 2028, leading to questions about his potential contributions for the remainder of this season and beyond. The Mets have hit nine homers during their current road trip, which began with a three-game sweep of the Guardians.