Add The New York Post on Google PITTSBURGH — Despite his lack of productivity this season, Marcus Semien still has occasional bursts that offer the Mets hope his bat still has life.
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The veteran second baseman homered in a second straight game on Friday, a reminder of the pop that helped transform him into an MVP candidate with the A’s and an 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 at PNC Park.
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 with left wrist discomfort, after colliding with the left field fence the previous inning on a sliding catch that robbed Ronny Simon of an extra-base hit.
Benge was in obvious discomfort as he emerged, but remained in the game to complete the inning.
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.
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.
The Mets blasted nine homers while sweeping the Guardians in three games to begin this road trip, and Semien’s blast 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 ⅔ innings.
The rookie lowered his ERA to 2.52 after seven starts.
Benge delivered the Mets’ first two runs, with RBI singles in the first and third innings.
The latter followed a brief rain delay before the start of the inning.
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 to propel the inning before Semien homered.
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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 Nunez, 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.
