PPoP Limp into Playoffs; Mets Take Game Two
Conventional wisdom says it is good to finish strong and carry that momentum into the playoffs. The Pirates, on the other hand, decided to backpedal into the postseason by dropping both ends of a day-night doubleheader to the Mets, losing game two 9-4.
After blowout loss in game one, the Pirates came out strong taking a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning. Ace Paul Benson managed to dodge traffic for three innings. In the fourth, the Mets finally capitalized on some sloppy PPoP defense to jump out to a 5-2 lead.
“It is our Achilles’ heel all year,” said coach Walter Jacobson. “If you look at our losses, they usually include moments of abysmal defense.”
Still, the Pirates were not about to go down to the champs without a fight. In the bottom of the fourth inning, they managed to push across two runs of their own thanks to a couple of errors by the Mets.
“We never quit,” said shortstop Gino Beniamino. “Everyone on this team wants to win. As long as we have at bats in the game, we will keep coming.”
Despite their grit, the PPoP would get no closer than 5-4. The Mets would string some hits together in the sixth and seventh, pushing their lead to 9-4.
“It was a tough day all around,” said Max Bogaert. “I thought we played well at times. It certainly gives us hope for the playoffs. If we can string seven strong innings together, we can compete with anyone in this league.”
The Pirates open up the playoffs at Kelley Field against the Braintree Red Sox.
