NEW YORK (AP) — Brett Baty hit a tiebreaking homer in the seventh inning and the New York Mets held off the punchless Pittsburgh Pirates 2-1 on Tuesday night.

Brandon Nimmo had an early RBI double off hard-luck loser Mitch Keller for the NL East-leading Mets (28-15), who have won five of six to move a season-best 13 games over .500.

A throwing error by shortstop Francisco Lindor helped the Pirates put runners at second and third with one out in the ninth. But closer Edwin Diaz threw a called third strike past slumping Bryan Reynolds before cleanup batter Joey Bart grounded out in a drizzle to end it.

Pittsburgh advanced a runner to third with less than two outs every inning from the second through the fourth and came up empty each time against starter Kodai Senga, who struck out seven in 5 2/3 innings.

No. 9 batter Henry Davis drew a bases-loaded walk from reliever Reed Garrett in the sixth, tying it 1-all. But then Adam Frazier grounded out for the Pirates, who finished 0 for 13 with runners in scoring position and stranded 12 overall.

Max Kranick (3-1) pitched a perfect seventh against his former team, Ryne Stanek stranded a runner in the eighth and Diaz got three outs for his ninth save.

Keller (1-5) allowed just two runs and five hits in seven innings, but lost his fifth consecutive decision. He struck out eight and walked one.

The last-place Pirates failed to score more than four runs for the 19th straight game, a franchise record since at least 1901.

Pittsburgh center fielder Oneil Cruz sat out for the third consecutive game since leaving Saturday’s 11-inning loss to Atlanta with lower back tightness.

Key moment

With two outs in the seventh, Baty lined a 1-1 changeup from Keller the other way and off the railing just above the left-field fence at Citi Field. It was his fifth home run this season and fourth in his last four games with a plate appearance. The infielder was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse on May 5.

Key stat

The Mets are 17-4 at home and have won 11 of the last 12 against Pittsburgh at Citi Field.

Up next

Mets RHP Clay Holmes (5-1, 2.74 ERA) faces his original big league team Wednesday night in the series finale, though rain is in the forecast. The converted reliever has won three straight starts. LHP Bailey Falter (2-3, 4.36) goes for Pittsburgh.

Skenes joins Team USA

NEW YORK (AP) — Paul Skenes is ready to take on the world.

The Pittsburgh Pirates ace announced Tuesday that he will join Team USA when the World Baseball Classic returns next March.

“Being around the best players in the game for three, four weeks, however long it is — unbelievable opportunity,” Skenes said at Citi Field before the Pirates played the New York Mets. “And I just can’t wait to learn.”

The reigning National League Rookie of the Year — who spent two years at the Air Force Academy before transferring to LSU — is expected to be near the top of the rotation for the Americans, who are coming off a runner-up finish to Japan at the 2023 WBC.

Skenes is confident the U.S. will have another good team and he’s willing to help recruit other major league stars.

“I’ll do whatever I have to do to win gold,” he said.

Asked if he thinks his commitment to Team USA could convince other elite pitchers to participate, Skenes said: “That’s the goal.” But he added he’s “not too worried about any of that stuff.”

Pirates manager Don Kelly said the club isn’t overly concerned about Skenes risking injury by ramping up intensity on the mound earlier than usual, at a time in the year when most big league players are gearing up gradually at spring training.

“I think anytime these pitchers go out there, there’s always concern and health risk and whatever,” Kelly said. “But you get to see the way that he works and the way that he prepares, and how diligent he is in that — he’s going to do everything that he can to be prepared to go out there and stay as healthy as he can.”

Skenes, who turns 23 this month, was the top pick in the 2023 amateur draft. The 6-foot-6 right-hander is 14-7 with a 2.16 ERA in 32 career starts — the lowest ERA in the majors since his debut on May 11, 2024. He is 3-4 with a 2.63 ERA this season.

Skenes gave up one run in six innings Monday night against the Mets and exited with the lead before Pittsburgh’s bullpen gave it away late in a 4-3 loss.

The 2026 WBC will be held from March 5-17 in Tokyo, Houston, Miami and San Juan, Puerto Rico. Skenes and the rest of Team USA begin pool play in Houston from March 6-11.

Skenes has already spoken a little bit to Pirates teammates who have played in the WBC.

“Basically, (they) said it’s the coolest thing they’ve ever experienced. So, looking forward to it and looking forward to having my own experiences,” he said.