Bailey Falter Exits With Injury in Pirates’ 5-2 Loss to Mets

PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates had to turn to the bullpen much earlier than expected as Bailey Falter exited with the bases loaded in the third inning with left posterior arm discomfort.

All three runners who reached agaisnt Falter scored, and the Pirates were unable to overcome the deficit in a 5-2 loss to the New York Mets at PNC Park on Saturday evening.

Dennis Santana relieved the injured Falter and struck out the first two batters he faced before surrendering a bases-clearing double to Luis Torrens to put New York ahead 3-0.

Falter (4-7) is being examined and treated by the Pirates’ medical staff and is considered day-to-day. 

The Pirates (42-46) answered back in the fourth when Oneil Cruz connected on a two-run home run off of Mets starter David Peterson. Cruz hit one high off the foul pole in right and the ball ended up in the Allegheny River, giving the Pirates’ shortstop his fourth river ball of the season. 

The Mets (43-44) got the two runs back in the top of the sixth inning against Ryder Ryan. Jose Iglesias doubled home a run with one out and Harrison Bader followed with a sacrifice fly to left, where Bryan Reynolds made a diving catch. 

At the plate, Reynolds finished 2 for 3 and now has six hits through the first two games of this series. 

Mets starter David Peterson allowed two runs in 4.1 innings pitched. José Butto (3-3) was the winning pitcher with 1.2 innings of relief.

The Pirates had the bases loaded with two outs in the seventh for pinch-hitter Jack Suwinski. Home plate umpire John Tumpane called two strikes against Suwinski on pitches that were down and out of the zone. Manager Derek Shelton was ejected by Tumpane for arguing balls and strikes one pitch before Suwinski went down swinging. 

Up Next

The Pirates and Mets will meet again on Sunday afternoon. Pittsburgh has yet to announce a starting pitcher and left-hander Sean Manaea (5-3, 3.67 ERA) will go for New York. First pitch: 1:35 ET.

News and Notes

• The Pirates placed right-handed pitcher Daulton Jefferies on the 15-day injured list with right elbow discomfort. Fellow righty Ryder Ryan was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.
• David Bednar (left oblique strain) threw a live BP at PNC Park before Saturday’s game.