David Peterson allows five runs, Mets' bats quiet in 9-1 loss to Pirates

David Peterson allowed a big inning for the second consecutive start and the Mets' offense couldn't recover as they fell to the Pirates, 9-1, on Friday night at PNC Park.

After a 20-minute delay to start the game, the Mets' offense never got going. They had just six hits, went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base.

Here are the takeaways…

-Peterson looked to bounce back from his shaky start last weekend against the Phillies, but he had similar results in this one. After allowing a five-run inning in Philadelphia, Peterson allowed four runs in the second. The Pirates started with a walk and back-to-back singles with one out to get on the board. A double from Alexander Canario caught Juan Soto by surprise and went over his head to drive in another run. An Isiah Kiner-Falefa single and a hard forceout by Tommy Pham put up two more runs as Peterson finally got out of the second, allowing four. The Pirates put up five hits in that inning off Peterson, who threw 34 pitches — the most he's allowed in one inning this season.

He allowed eight batted balls, seven of which were hit at 101 mph or harder.

Peterson would settle down over the next two innings, but the Pirates would bat around the left-hander again in the fifth. A two-out double by Ke'Bryan Hayes scored Pittsburgh's fifth run of the game and knocked Peterson out of the game. This is the second straight start Peterson has allowed at least five runs. He didn't allow that many runs in a start all of last season.

Peterson finished throwing 91 pitches (56 strikes), allowing five runs on seven hits and three walks while striking out five across 4.2 innings.

–Blade Tidwell, called up on Friday to take Griffin Canning's place on the roster, relieved Peterson and was hurt by the big inning. After getting the final out of the fifth, Tidwell would allow a three-run bomb to Bryan Reynolds in the sixth to push the Pirates' lead to 8-1.

Tidwell was asked to soak up innings for the Mets and the young right-hander did just that. He pitched 3.1 innings (73 pitches/48 strikes), allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out one.

–Juan Soto entered Friday's game with one career homer at PNC Park, but he changed that with a fourth-inning solo shot that put the Mets on the board. It was his 20th homer of the season, and it's his most through his team's first 83 games. That was the lone highlight of offense from the Mets, but they had their chances.

In the sixth, they had runners on first and second with one out and couldn't get a run across. Mark Vientos struck out to end that threat. Vientos made his return from the IL and had a rough night at the plate – the DH went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts.

Brett Baty went 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles, and Ronny Mauricio was 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. Pete Alonso and Brandon Nimmo both had one hit apiece to round out the Mets' offense.

Manager Carlos Mendoza waved the white flag in the seventh, pulling Francisco Lindor and Soto from the game.

Game MVP: Bryan Reynolds

Reynolds went 2-for-5 and drove in three runs to lead the Pirates' charge.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets and Pirates continue their series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 4:05 p.m.

Paul Blackburn (0-2, 6.62 ERA) will take the mound and go up against Bailey Falter (6-3, 3.59 ERA).

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