The Mets defeated the Pirates by a score of 7-4 this evening at PNC Park. Pedro Martinez got the win, and Zach Duke took the loss. Pedro Feliciano closed it out for the save.

Martinez was great again. He allowed one run on eight hits, while striking out four. This was the 3rd straight start where Martinez allowed two runs or less.

The Mets got off to an early start again, as Jose Reyes lead off the game with his 13th homer of the year. Carlos Beltran added an RBI double in the 1st, and Fernando Tatis chipped in with an RBI single.

Ramon Castro crushed his seventh homer of the year, a two run shot, into the the left center bleachers to put the game out of reach at 6-0.

Rookie Eddie Kunz was brought in to pitch the 9th, but pitched terribly. He allowed three runs in a third of an inning. Clearly, I was wrong, and Kunz is not ready to be this team’s closer.

The Mets look for their sixth straight win tomorrow with Johan Santana facing Jeff Karstens.