Flushing, NY (Sports Network) - Ruben Tejada went 1-for-3 with three RBI including a go-ahead run in the eighth inning to lift New York over Pittsburgh, 9-8, as the Mets avoided getting swept in the finale of a three- game series.
Carlos Beltran went 2-for-4 with a double and three-run home run to go along with his four RBI and Daniel Murphy added an RBI on a pinch-hit single as the Mets snapped a two-game losing streak.
New York starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey was shelled for seven runs on 10 hits in five full frames, but was saved by the bullpen and offense. Tim Byrdak, Bobby Parnell, Jason Isringhausen and Francisco Rodriguez combined for four innings, allowing one run on four hits and one walk. Isringhausen (1-0) picked up the win and Rodriguez his 16th save of the season.
Xavier Paul went 4-for-5 with a triple, one RBI, three runs scored and two stolen bases, Andrew McCutchen was 2-for-5 with two RBI and a stolen base and Neil Walker added a two-run home run and three RBI for the Pirates, who have lost three of their last five games.
Jose Veras (1-2) was charged with the loss after surrendering two runs in the eighth. The 29-year-old Dominican native walked four batters, including a walk with the bases loaded which gave up the deciding run.
Pittsburgh starter Paul Maholm gave up seven runs -- six earned -- on eight hits over 5 2/3 innings.
It was 7-0 going into the Mets' portion of the third, but the team began their comeback in that frame.
With two outs, Jose Reyes singled to left field, then moved to second on a Justin Turner base hit. With runners on first and second Beltran belted a 1-2 pitch over the left field fence, to cut Pittsburgh's lead to four.
The Mets tied the game with a four-run sixth inning. Beltran started things off with a double and Jason Bay followed with a walk. Nick Evans then walked with two outs to load the bases and Tejada singled to right-center that scored both Beltran and Bay. Murphy, who pinch-hit for Byrdak, laced a single to left to score Evans and moved Tejada to third. Tejada then scored on a passed ball by Brown.
The Mets added two more in the eighth inning, to take the lead for good. Ronny Paulino led off with a single and was replaced in favor of pinch-runner Willie Harris, who advanced to second on a balk and then to third on a wild pitch. Veras eventually walked pinch-hitter Josh Thole. Tejada knocked in Harris with a sacrifice fly, and Thole went to second. Veras intentionally walked Murphy before walking Reyes to load the bases. After getting Turner to foul out, Veras walked Beltran, allowing Thole to score for a 9-7 lead.
The Pirates showed signs of life in the ninth after Paul tripled to right field off Rodriguez. Walker knocked in Paul with two outs on a single, but Rodriguez got Lyle Overbay to pop out on the first pitch to seal the win for New York.
The Pirates jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning. Paul beat out a leadoff bunt, and then stole second base. A Josh Harrison single moved Paul to third before McCutchen knocked him in with a base hit, also moving Harrison to third.
Following his RBI base hit McCutchen stole second and Harrison scored when Walker grounded out to second base and McCutchen crossed the plate on a Matt Diaz blooper that dropped in between centerfielder Beltran and the outstretched arms of second baseman Tejada.
The Pirates kept their foot on the gas in the second inning, adding three more runs. Paul reached base on a one-out base hit, and then stole second base again. McCutchen then roped a hanging slider to left-center field to score Paul. Walker blasted a two-run homer to right field to take a 6-0 lead.
Pittsburgh struck again in the third as Dusty Brown, who drew a two-out walk, moved to second on a Maholm single and scored on a Paul base hit.