Mets Steal One in Pittsburgh, Edge Pirates 6-4

The Mets walked into PNC Park and did just enough to escape with a 6-4 victory over the Pirates, proving once again that winning ugly still counts in the standings. New York built their cushion early and held on through the late innings as Pittsburgh made things interesting down the stretch.

The Mets' offense came alive when it mattered most, manufacturing six runs against a Pirates pitching staff that's shown more holes than Swiss cheese lately. Meanwhile, New York's bullpen—often the subject of fan anxiety and message board meltdowns—actually did its job when called upon, even if they made everyone sweat through the final frames.

Pittsburgh's four-run effort showed some fight, particularly late when they started chipping away at the lead. The Pirates have been scrappy at home all season, but scrappy doesn't cash tickets. They needed timely hitting with runners in scoring position and came up short when the game was on the line.

The Stable didn't have a published pick on this one, so no victory laps or hand-wringing required. Sometimes the best bet is no bet at all. The Mets improve their road record and keep pace in a crowded National League race, while Pittsburgh continues searching for consistency that remains frustratingly elusive.