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Bounce goes against Mets in 3-2 loss to streaking Pirates
Category: Sports Written by Associated Press
Pittsburgh Pirates' Starling Marte, left, Travis Snider, center, and Andrew McCutchen celebrate after a baseball game against the New York Mets at Citi Field, Sunday, May 12, in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
by Howie Rumberg
NEW YORK (AP) — For a split second, Lucas Duda's sharp grounder looked as if it was going to lift the Mets out of their doldrums.
An unfortunate bounce later, New York was headed toward another loss in a season in which they are rapidly mounting.
Duda's grounder down the first-base line with runners on second and third hit the bag and caromed straight up in the air. That allowed the Pittsburgh Pirates to get the third out of the eighth inning of a 3-2 victory Sunday, sending the Mets to their third straight loss in the four-game series.
"It's cliché to say it, but when times are tough, when it rains, it pours," said Mike Baxter, who had a tying single in the seventh.
The Mets lost for the fourth time on a just-completed six-game homestand in which they went 7 for 40 (.175) with runners in scoring position, including 1 for 7 Sunday. They have lost 11 of 15 following a 10-9 start.
"You talk about how we're snake bit, but that's just part of the game," Collins said. "What's the next thing that's going to keep us from having a big game? But we won two games on this homestand by getting a couple of big hits. We've just got to start hitting with guys in scoring position like we did early and we did last year in the first half."
Pedro Alvarez broke a 2-all tie with an RBI single in the eighth after Matt Harvey left for a pinch-hitter in the seventh.
Mets relievers had pitched 13 innings over the previous three games, so manager Terry Collins was looking for another deep effort from Harvey in his 18th big league start following a nine-inning, one-hit gem on Tuesday.
Scott Rice (1-2) walked Pirates slugger Andrew McCutchen with one out in the eighth before Brandon Lyon walked pinch-hitter Gaby Sanchez. Lyon struck out pinch-hitter Jose Tabata, then gave way to closer Bobby Parnell.
Alvarez, who played high school ball in New York City, singled to left-center for a 3-2 lead.
"We've been hit now with a two-headed monster: We're not hittin' and we're not pitchin', Collins said. "Certainly, we've got to get it going and there's no secret formula how to do it."
The Mets had an opportunity in the eighth against Mark Melancon, putting runners on first and third with one out. Ike Davis struck out as David Wright swiped second — New York's fourth stolen base of the day — and Duda hit a sharp grounder that struck first base and shot straight up in the air. Second baseman Brandon Inge fielded the ball and tossed to Melancon for the final out of the inning, drawing gasps from many of the 28,404 in attendance.
"Inge stayed with the play, Melancon finished his route right to the bag, and we get the out," Pirates manager Clint Hurdle said. "Our guys didn't quit once maybe a little adversity was thrown at them."
Said Duda: "Anything could happen in that situation. You didn't know which way it was going to ricochet or what's going to happen. But it is what it is."
Jason Grilli pitched a perfect ninth for his 15th straight save to start the season.
Jeanmar Gomez gave the Pirates another solid start in place of injured James McDonald, yielding one run in five innings. But Pittsburgh's bullpen gave up the lead in the seventh on Baxter's looping single off Justin Wilson (3-0) that tied it at 2.
Baxter, a pinch-hitting specialist with two game-winning hits this week — including one in Thursday's the series opener — got a start Sunday. He drove in John Buck, who walked and advanced on a wild pitch, with the Mets' first hit since a one-out single in the second. Baxter then stole second, and third when Juan Lagares struck out for the second out.
Collins tried to jolt his lineup by restoring slumping sluggers Davis and Duda back into the middle of the order, and the move paid quick dividends when Duda homered to center field. Hitless in his previous nine at-bats, Duda ran around the bases in his pink spikes on Mother's Day as New York went up 1-0.
Davis went 0 for 4, his average falling to .180.
The no-nonsense Harvey appeared out of sorts from the start — maybe it was Buck using pink stick-ons on his fingernails rather than the usual white to make pitch signs more easily readable.
Relying more heavily on his slider and curveball than a fastball that reaches 98 mph, Harvey gave up two runs in the third, and it could've been worse if Lagares hadn't made a sensational catch in center field.
After Clint Barmes led off with his second homer of the season, Gomez hit a sinking liner and Lagares reached low to get his glove on the ball, which popped out as he stumbled forward. Lagares' momentum carried him into a dive and he made the catch — for good — as he fell to the turf.
Harvey then loaded the bases on two walks around a single. Garrett Jones hit a sacrifice fly for a 2-1 lead, and Jordy Mercer had an inning-ending popout.
Still, the 24-year-old right-hander gave up little to the Pirates on a day when he struck out a season-low four. Harvey allowed two runs and five hits. He also walked two and plunked his first batter of the year.
"It was tough. It was definitely a battle. You're going to have those days. You're not going to have your pinpoint location every time," he said. "I needed to put up zeros today, and I wasn't able to do that, but I was happy that I went seven innings and gave us a chance to win."
NOTES: The Mets recalled RHP Greg Burke from Triple-A Las Vegas and placed RHP Jeurys Familia on the 15-day DL, retroactive to May 9, because of right biceps tendinitis.
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Last Updated on Sunday, 12 May 2013 20:11
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Woods keeps it dry and wins Players Championship
Category: Sports Written by Associated Press
Tiger Woods gestures as he misses a birdie putt on the eighth hole during the final round of The Players championship golf tournament at TPC Sawgrass, May 12, in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
PONTE VEDRA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Tiger Woods had the last word against Sergio Garcia by winning The Players Championship on Sunday.
Last Updated on Sunday, 12 May 2013 19:02
Hits: 182
Liriano Ks 9 in Pirates debut, beats Mets 11-2
Category: Sports Written by Associated Press
Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Francisco Liriano throws against the New York Mets during the first inning of a baseball game at Citi Field on Saturday, May 11, 2013 in New York. (AP Photo/Kathy Kmonicek)
by Rick Freeman, AP Sports Writer
NEW YORK (AP) — Francisco Liriano struck out nine and pitched into the sixth inning to win his debut with Pittsburgh and help the Pirates beat the New York Mets 11-1 on Saturday.
Last Updated on Saturday, 11 May 2013 17:33
Hits: 242
Jets' Aboushi a rare Palestinian-American in NFL
Category: Sports Written by Associated Press
New York Jets' Oday Aboushi talks to the media in the locker room after NFL football rookie minicamp in Florham Park, N.J. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun)
by Dennis Waszak Jr.
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — The congratulatory messages flooded Oday Aboushi's Twitter page for a few days after he was drafted by the New York Jets two weeks ago.
Many were happy to see the hometown kid from the New York borough of Staten Island starting his NFL career close to his family and friends. It was the other tweets, first dozens and then hundreds, from places such as Dubai and Saudi Arabia that made the enormity of the situation really sink in.
Last Updated on Saturday, 11 May 2013 23:14
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Overtime...Can Knicks serve the upset?
Category: Sports Written by Bill Neal
New York Knicks head coach Mike Woodson gives Carmelo Anthony instruction in the second half of Game 2 of their NBA basketball playoff series in the Eastern Conference semifinals against the Indiana Pacers at Madison Square Garden in New York, May 7. The Knicks won 105-79. (AP Photo/Mary Altaffer)
:10 I’ve put it off as long as I can cause I just can’t stand the pain, but here’s the final rundown for the NBA playoffs. In the East, it’s sad, but true, I’ve got Miami beating New York…but…but…but New York could serve the upset??? In the West, I predict San Antonio steals it from OKC and this You Can Take To The Bank. San Antonio will beat Miami for the crown! All hail the King …the King will be dead…King James that is.
:09 I know ya’ll don’t think I know this stuff, but I am a well rounded sports writer with serious skills. “ORB” won the Kentucky Derby…what?…what?
:08 All the best to former Notre Dame basketball coach and ESPN analyst Digger Phelps as he fights bladder cancer. Phelps underwent surgery last month and says he’s in the fight to win it. Thanks to the “Ice Man” Dwight “D.C.” Clay and the legend that was “The Silver Streak” I had the pleasure of meeting Coach Phelps at his home of the Fighting Irish about 25 years go. Best road trip ever. “Nobody Me” got to hoop with D.C. and the other Irish legends during a grand reunion weekend. Adrian Dantley, Duck Williams and the fellas in Knucke Rockney Gym. All was good till I broke my foot. The rest is no history at all. Reminder Note: The Iceman is the owner of the greatest shot in NCAA history to snap UCLA 88 game win streak.
:07 In case you haven’t been paying attention, Serena Williams is the #1 tennis player in the world once again. But the season is young and she will be pushed by #2 ranked Maria Sharapova. Oh shut up and just listen to what I tell ya.
:06 Yea, Mayweather won the fight. Unanimous decision over Robert Guerrero as a matter of fact. Although I thought Floyd would have been tested more, it just shows you how good Mayweather really is. He’s head and shoulders above the rest. But the real fight is yet to come cause Guerrero’s dad told Mayweather’s dad he was gonna kick his xxx! Floyd Sr. and Ruben Guerrero…book that fight!
:05 I ran into Good Brother Jim Clancy down at the Consol Arena. He’s one of the keeper’s of the castle. Hey, Jim keep reading man I need all the support I can get to beat those pretenders at the Post and Trib. Jim, you’re now in the Locker Room. Get your gear and suit up man!
:04 Jason Collins is a Black gay basketball player…OK. Back to the game!
:03 OK, so you haven’t been to Ray’s Barber Shop in Penn Hills next to the Lawn and Garden Center? C’mon man, “It’s all about you!” So that means you haven’t been downstairs to the sweetest joint in town, “CCM” aka Creamy Creations and more. Let me tell ya this, their stuff is good. I mean put on your new white PF Flyer sneakers and don’t get um dirty good. What ya’ll waiting on? Get there. And please, don’t tell Stephan Broadus I gave them free P.R. You know how he is about that!
:02 Speaking of the Locker Room, my Jamaican brother Steve Miller is a Starbucks cat and reader of Overtime. Yea mon…you’re now in the Locker Room you lazy bum mon! Hey what kind of Jamaican name is Steve Miller? I thought that was a Rock & Roll band…Steve, welcome home.
:01 Ya’ll know the new cameras in Homewood ain’t just only for guns and shooters don’t ya? You—Down—With—OPP? I am just saying.
:00 Double Overtime—At the Buzzer. HHHHEEEERRRREEEE WE GO. Saturday, May 11, Ms. Rita Gregory and Champion Enterprises bring you the 38th Mother’s Day/Celebrating Women Awards, Fashion Show and luncheon starring the fashion legend Ms. Debbie Norrell—2-5 p.m.—St. James AME Church – tickets $30 in advance, $35 at the door. If there are any left – fashions by “cache”—call 412-628-4856 for info—you keep saying you don’t know, well here. The next and best Harlem Nights Old School Par-tay is coming Friday, May 31—3 Lakes Golf Course—8-1 p.m.—the line dance master Roland Ford will be there—music by the legend Sly Jock—free parking – cash bar—cash kitchen till 11 p.m.—50/50—best dressed man and woman—cash prize—the Corvett Club and their cars will be out on display and yes, it’s dress to impress—this is the big one to kick off Memorial weekend and the summer—we need ya’ll on this one. It raises money for the 38th Annual Connie Hawkins Youth Development Summer Basketball League. Starting June 15 at the Penn Hills YMCA—come out and meet former world heavyweight kickboxing champion Jacquet Bazemore and WISH light heavyweight champion Rayco “War” Saunders Weil as he gets ready for his title fight—remember, don’t miss the Spring Cabaret brought to you by “Happy Feelings” and my man former Penn Hills football star, Kenny Lewis, Saturday, May 18, 8 p.m.–2 a.m.–The Moose Lodge, 120 51st Street in Lawrenceville. Call 412-512-9873 for more info. It’s a BYOB affair with a bar as well…say what!?!
~ GAME OVER ~
Last Updated on Thursday, 09 May 2013 16:00
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