PITTSBURGH — Despite his lack of productivity this season, Marcus Semien still has occasional bursts that offer the Mets hope his bat has life.
The veteran second baseman homered in a second straight game Friday, a reminder of the pop that helped transform him into an MVP candidate with the A’s and All-Star player for the Blue Jays and Rangers.
His third-inning, three-run homer was the team’s loudest hit in a 6-4 victory over the Pirates. The Mets won their fourth straight, matching their longest winning streak this season.
But there was at least one glitch: Carson Benge departed in the fourth inning with left wrist discomfort, after colliding with the left field fence on a sliding catch that robbed Ronny Simon of an extra-base hit in the third.
X-rays were negative, according to interim manager Andy Green, but Benge will undergo further imaging Saturday.
Semien, who began the day with a paltry .634 OPS, has joined Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. to form a triumvirate of disappointments from president of baseball operations David Stearns’ winter overhaul.
“I don’t want to talk about disappointment,” Semien said, when asked if he viewed his season in such terms. “We just had a good day today. I am happy with the results today and my focus is on the rest of the season, not what happened before.”
But with Semien’s contract running through 2028, the Mets have to wonder if the 35-year-old has something to offer for the remainder of this season and beyond.
Green, when asked about Semien, said he is “not looking backwards” on his season.
“Where we are right now is a huge swing to win a baseball game,” Green said. “That’s where we are going to stay.”
The Mets blasted nine homers while sweeping the Guardians in three games to begin this road trip, and Semien’s shot Friday extended their power surge.
In a rebound performance, Zac Thornton pitched five scoreless innings, allowing only four hits and two walks. It followed a shaky performance against the Marlins in which he surrendered three earned runs over 4 ²/₃ innings. The rookie lowered his ERA to 2.52 after seven starts.
“I knew that I needed to get back in the zone early on with most every pitch, so I thought I did a good job of that,” Thornton said.
- CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND METS STATS
Green indicated that Thornton, who was removed at 63 pitches, was impacted by a rain delay before the third inning. The delay lasted 36 minutes.
“The rain put him in a bad spot,” Green said. “We were really close to him not going back out, just as long as the delay was.”
MEts merch shop
- 47 Brand logo cap
- 1986 eco tote bag
- Mets fiber beach towel
- 14-ounce sculpted relief mug
- Customizable jersey
- Color block logo backpack
New York Post receives revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and when you make a purchase.
Thornton said he stayed loose by throwing in the indoor batting cage during the delay.
“I felt really good, despite the delay,” Thornton said.
Benge delivered the Mets’ first two runs, with RBI singles in the first and third innings.
Semien extended the Mets’ lead to 5-0 in the third with a three-run homer — his second blast in as many games. Jared Young’s single followed Benge’s before Semien homered.
Delivering insights on all things Amazin’s
Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+
Thank you
Francisco Lindor stroked an RBI single in the fourth that put the Pirates in a 6-0 hole. A.J. Ewing was hit by a pitch and stole second in the inning.
Dedniel Núñez, extended to pitch a second inning, was charged for two runs in the seventh. Lefty Jefry Yan got all three outs in the inning in a second straight solid outing to begin his major league career.
Devin Williams, in a non-save situation, allowed two runs on three hits and a walk in the ninth.
The vibes remain positive for a team that sold at the trade deadline.
“We have got a ton of energy in this clubhouse,” Thornton said. “Guys that are hungry for it, guys that are hungry to win. I think we’re playing for each other, so it’s awesome to see.”
