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Gee remains unbeaten as Mets rout Pirates

Jun 11, 2011 - 3:44 AM Pittsburgh, PA (Sports Network) - Dillon Gee threw eight strong innings as New York beat down Pittsburgh, 8-1, in the opener of a four-game series.

Gee (7-0) remained undefeated on the year, allowing one run and striking out five while scattering eight hits in the Mets' sixth win in eight games.

"He has really pitched great. I can't say enough good things about the job he has done on controlling his emotions and keeping himself in the game. He's been really impressive to watch," Mets manager Terry Collins said about Gee.

Charlie Morton (6-3) allowed seven runs -- six earned -- on nine hits and a walk in just four-plus innings.

Andrew McCutchen knocked in the lone run for the Pirates, who lost for the third time in five contests.

The Mets loaded the bases in the first inning with one out after Justin Turner was hit by a pitch, Carlos Beltran walked and Daniel Murphy reached on Ronny Cedeno's fielding error. Turner came home on an Angel Pagan groundout before Lucas Duda grounded out to end the inning and keep it a 1-0 game.

Pittsburgh answered right back in their half of the first after Jose Tabata singled to lead off the inning and was followed by a bunt single by Josh Harrison before McCutchen hit a third straight single to tie the game at one.

New York took the lead back for good in the fourth after Pagan led off the inning with a double and came home on a single by Duda. Duda advanced to third on the play because of a throwing error by McCutchen and scored on a bloop single by Josh Thole.

The Mets later loaded the bases in the inning with one out after a Ruben Tejada single, Gee bunted into a fielder's choice and a single by Jose Reyes that deflected off first baseman Lyle Overbay. Turner then hit a grounder up the middle that bounced off the leg of Morton and into center field, allowing Tejada and Gee to cross the plate. Beltran's sacrifice fly made the score 6-1.

The Mets added to their lead in the fifth after Pagan led off with a triple to deep right field that deflected off the tip of Matt Diaz's glove and knocked Morton off the mound.

"I was missing up and in, down and in, low and away. It means that something is off, timing's off, release is off, something. I'm just not being consistant," Morton said about his performance.

Daniel McCutchen entered next and Duda hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Pagan, giving New York a 7-1 lead.

Reyes homered to lead off the sixth to complete the rout.

Game Notes

Pittsburgh placed pitcher Evan Meek on the 15-day disabled list, selected the contract of pitcher Tim Wood from Indianapolis and transferred catcher Chris Snyder to 60-day disabled list on Friday...New York recalled left fielder Duda from Buffalo and designated first baseman Nick Evans for assignment on Friday...Andrew McCutchen extended his hit streak to nine games...After starting the year 5-13, the Mets have gone 26-19 in their last 45 games.