Pirates Walked Off by Mets: Another Skenes Start Wasted, IKF Back With a Bang

Paul Skenes delivered a strong start and Isiah Kiner-Falefa homered in his return off the injured list, but the Pittsburgh Pirates were walked-off 4-3 by the New York Mets at Citi Field on Monday night.

How We Got There

Kiner-Falefa connected on his first home run of the season, a solo shot off David Peterson in the top of the second inning to put the Pirates (14-28) ahead 1-0.

IKF in NYC 🤩 pic.twitter.com/qA8phYRVHr

— Pittsburgh Pirates (@Pirates) May 12, 2025

The Mets (27-15) tied the game at 1-all in the bottom of the fourth when Jeff McNeil doubled home Brandon Nimmo against Paul Skenes.

With one out in the top of the seventh, Bryan Reynolds bounced into a fielder’s choice to plate a run and put the Pirates back in front.

The lead was short-lived as the Mets tied the score again on Juan Soto’s RBI-groundout with runners on the corners in the bottom of the inning. They then took the lead when Pete Alonso hit a grounder that snuck under the glove of third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes and trickled far enough into left field to allow Luisangel Acuña to score from second.

Hayes legged out an infield single with runners on the corners and one out in the top of the ninth to once again tie the game.

With runners on the corners and one out in the ninth, Pete Alonso hit a walk-off sac fly to right off David Bednar (0-4).

Alonso wins it! #LGM pic.twitter.com/WBtsenqGuB

— New York Mets (@Mets) May 13, 2025

Key Moment

The Pirates had two on and one out in a tie game in the top of the ninth but Bryan Reynolds bounced into an inning-ending double play.

Star of the Game

Pete Alonso was responsible for half the Mets’ runs and sent the fans home happy with his walk-off sac fly.

Notable Performances

• Paul Skenes: 6.0 innings, six hits, one run, three walks, six strikeouts, 92 pitches/56 strikes
• Isiah Kiner-Falefa: 2 for 4, one home run, one RBI, one run
• Ke’Bryan Hayes: 2 for 4, one RBI
• Jared Triolo: 1 for 3, one double, one walk

Stat to Know

This is the 18th game in a row in which the Pirates have scored four runs or fewer, which is the longest stretch in franchise history. The last time they scored more than four runs was in their 9-3 win over the Angels on Apr. 22.

Noteworthy

• Andrew McCutchen started in left field for the first time ever with the Pirates and the first time since Oct. 3, 2022 while with the Brewers.
• INF Isiah Kiner-Falefa (right hamstring strain) was activated off the 10-day injured list. INF Liover Peguero was optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis.

Up Next

The Pirates and Mets will meet again on Tuesday night. RHP Mitch Keller (1-4, 4.40 ERA) will start for Pittsburgh opposite RHP Kodai Senga(4-2, 1.16 ERA). First pitch: 7:10 p.m. ET.