Mets stop skid behind clutch pitching by Senga, timely hitting by Canha

Game 65 of 162

Mets 5 Pirates 1 (PNC PARK, Pittsburgh)

Mets record: 31-34

Mets streak: Won 1

WP - Kodai Senga (6-3)

LP - Johan Oviedo (3-5)

Seat on the Korner: Kodai Senga

We select the star of the game and virtually invite him to a Seat on the Korner, just as Ralph Kiner used to do for his studio postgame show on WOR-channel 9 broadcasts in the early decades of the Mets.

Kodai Senga gave the Mets something they haven't gotten from their starters in a while -- length -- tossing seven innings of two-hit ball, striking out six. Senga also was able to pitch through adversity (some of his own making) to hold the Pirates to only one run (unearned) after a Buck Showalter brain freeze -- arguing a call instead of challenging it -- and getting around some errors in the field. A masterful performance just when the Mets needed it, after two consecutive games of their hurlers giving up double-digit runs

Need to Know

• Francisco Lindor, in the lineup at DH to give him a break from the field, saw his five-game hitting streak come to an end. The ofer was an anomaly for Lindor, whose average as a DH has been over .400 .

• Francisco Alvarez hit his 12th home run in the eighth, passing Jason Phillips for second place in home runs hit by a Met rookie catcher and placing him only one behind Travis D'Arnaud. It seems more than likely that Alvarez will pass D'Arnaud before the month -- if not the week -- is out.

• Manager Buck Showalter, perhaps reflecting the frustation of the secen-game losing streak, lost it in the bottom of the fourth, when Luis Guillorme, on a seemingly certain 4-6-3 double play, bobbled the ball on what apeared to be the transfer for the relay. The second base umpire, however, ruled that Guillorme bobbled the ball on the catch, so both runners were safe. Instead of challenging the call, Showalter ran out to argue, taking so much time that he lost the window he had to make a challenge that most likely would have overturned the call.

• The Mets made three errors, two on consecutive plays that led to the Pirates run after the Showalter brain freeze, but Senga stanched the bleeding, getting Pirates shortstop Tucupita Marcano to foul out and strking out catcher Jason Delay to end the inning.

• The Mets are now 17-1 when their starter goes six innings or better.

• Before the game, the Mets made two bullpen moves, sending Zach Muckenhirn (who mucked up his only inning Friday night) back to Syracuse and designatng Tommy Hunter for assignment. Replacing them are Josh Walker and John Curtiss.

• Carlos Carrasco gets the start today in the last game of the road trip. He will be opposed by Mitch Keller

Turning Point

• With the score tied at one in the top of the seventh and Starling Marte on second after an infield single and a stolen base, the Pirates intentionally walked (!) Luis Guillorme to get to Mark Canha. He responded to the insult with a two-out double scoring Marte and Guillorme. The Mets were in control after that.

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3 Keys

Nimmo makes key plays at bat, in field

Brandon Nimmo got on base three times -- two singles and a walk -- and scored the Mets first run. But just as important, he made two run-saving, inning-ending catches to take hits away from Connor Joe, one against the fence in center field and the other running in to his right. Nimmo is a terror at bat on the road; going into the game he was hitting .331, with a .412 OBP, 21 runs, eight doubles, three triples and 20 walks in away games. His away-game average is sixth in the majors

Bullpen comes up big when needed

With the game still very much on the line, David Roberston came up big in the eighth, striking out two and holding the Pirates scoreless. Adam Ottavino pitched a the ninth, and even though the score was 5-1 and it wasn't a save opportunity, the way the Mets pen has been pitching recently, it was a major accomplishment that he, too, held the Pirates scoreless.

Canha again comes up big at bat.

Mark Canha, starting at first again with Pete Alonso out, continued his hot hitting, notching three RBIs on two doubles. After a rocky start, Canha has picked up at the bat; going into the game he was hitting .278, with a .409 OPB and .854 OPS in his last 13 games. Despite an error -- that the Mets overcame -- Canha seemed solid at first and looks like the everyday first sacker until Alonso returns.