Diaz is rescued after his suspension, Torrens hits three runs and defeats the Pirates 5-2

PITTSBURGH — Luis Torrens had three hits, including a three-run double, and Edwin Diaz saved the ball after his 10-game suspension ended earlier in the day as the New York Mets beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 5-2 on Saturday.

Torrens hit his double into the deepest part of the park, at the 410-foot sign in left-center, in the third inning to break a scoreless tie. The catcher also hit two singles as the Mets ended a three-game losing streak.

The night before, Torrens was used as a cleanup assistant in the Mets’ 14-2 loss to the Pirates.

“I’m always happy when I can contribute to the team both offensively and defensively,” said Torrens.

Torrens was playing at Triple-A Wilkes-Barre/Scranton when the Mets purchased his contract from the New York Yankees on May 31. As a backup to Francisco Alvarez, he has a .317 batting average in 15 games.

“He was great not only because he got hits on time on offense, but also because he handled the pitchers. He made the guys feel good, made adjustments when needed, communicated with the pitching coaches and was in charge of game planning,” said Mets manager Carlos Mendoza.

Diaz pitched a scoreless ninth inning, earning his eighth save in 12 opportunities. Diaz was suspended by Major League Baseball after being ejected from a game against the Chicago Cubs on June 23 for having a foreign substance on his throwing hand.

“I was a little nervous, but I just focused on throwing strikes,” Diaz said.

Brandon Nimmo also had three of the Mets’ 11 hits. Jose Butto (3-3) pitched 1 2/3 scoreless innings as a relief pitcher.

Bryan Reynolds had two hits for the Pirates, who had won two of their last three games. He previously hit two home runs, including a grand slam, and scored six runs in Friday’s loss.

Pirates starter Bailey Falter was replaced in the third inning with left rear arm discomfort after the Mets loaded the bases with no outs. Dennis Santana replaced Pete Alonso and Mark Vientos and struck them out before Torrens landed his big hit.

“Obviously I wanted to try to stay in the game as long as possible to give the bullpen a little break,” Falter said. “But I noticed a little discomfort on the warm-up throws in the third inning. I didn’t really throw a lot of strikes. After that, it kind of flared up and I kind of lost the feel for (the strike zone).”

Oneil Cruz of the Pirates hit a massive two-run home run in the fourth inning against Mets starter David Peterson that crossed the right-field bleachers and bounced into the Allegheny River.

The Mets added two runs in the sixth to extend their lead to 5-2. Jose Iglesias hit an RBI double and Harrison Bader followed with a sacrifice fly.

Pirates manager Derek Shelton was ejected by home plate umpire John Tumpane in the bottom of the seventh inning for contesting a strike against Jack Suwinski with the bases loaded. Reed Garrett then struck out Suwinski, ending the threat and preserving the Mets’ three-run lead.

Falter (4-7) conceded three runs in two innings and allowed five hits.

Peterson played 4 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on five hits with five strikeouts and two walks.

Squad change

Mets: Acquired the contract of RHP Eric Orze from Triple-A Syracuse and traded RHP Ty Adcock to the same club. Orze is looking to make his major league debut.

TRAINING ROOM

Pirates: RHP David Bednar (left oblique strain) threw 21 pitches in a simulated game and is close to either returning to the active roster or heading to the minor leagues for a brief rehab. … RHP Daulton Jefferies (right elbow discomfort) was placed on the 15-day injured list and RHP Ryder Ryan was recalled from Triple-A Indianapolis.

NEXT

The Mets will start LHP Sean Manaea (5-3, 3.67 ERA) in the third game of a four-game wraparound series against Pirates RHP Luis Ortiz (4-2, 3.27) on Sunday. Manaea is 2-0 with a 1.99 ERA in his last four starts.

___

AP MLB: https://apnews.com/MLB