The New York Mets lost to the Pittsburgh Pirates, 5-4, on Monday night in the opening game of their three-game series. Johan Santana gave up four earned runs, and eight hits with seven strikeouts in 6 1/3 innings on the mound. Jon Rauch (3-3) was given the loss after giving up the winning run on a Clint Barmes sacrifice fly to score Neil Walker in the eighth inning.
The Mets scored all four of their runs in the second inning. Ronny Cedeno doubled to deep right center to score Vinny Rottino and put New York on the board, 1-0. Justin Turner hit a two-run single with two outs, then David Wright followed him up at the plate with a one-run single to give the Mets a 4-0 lead.
A critical play in the game occurred in the eighth inning when Mets center fielder Kirk Nieuwenhuis and left fielder Mike Baxter nearly collided chasing a fly ball that went for a three-base error and helped Pittsburgh score the winning run.
Jared Hughes (1-0) got the win in relief for Pittsburgh
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