PITTSBURGH – Robert Stock’s second start of the season for the Mets didn’t go anything like his initial outing.
Called up from Triple-A Syracuse on Aug. 2, the 36-year-old journeyman allowed only one run in five innings that day but was the tough-luck loser against the Marlins. Stock was promoted to replace right-hander Freddy Peralta, who was traded to the Rays.
However, Stock got roughed up Saturday night as the Mets lost to the Pirates 9-0 at PNC Park. The right-hander was rocked for eight runs in three-plus innings while allowing nine hits, walking five and striking out four.
“I appreciate what he has done to get here, and this game does not define him,” Mets interim manager Andy Green said. “It’s a rough outing, and it happens to pitchers all across the game all the time. He has talent. He earned a right to a second start.”
Yet Stock may not make a third start.
“It’s something we’ll have to discuss,” Green said.
The Mets’ season-high-tying four-game winning streak ended, as they fell to 51-67.
Stock (0-2) was looking for his third MLB win in a career that started in 2018 in San Diego, where Green was the manager. He has also pitched for the Red Sox and Cubs while making two starts for the Mets in 2021. Furthermore, Stock has played in the Korean Baseball Organization and Mexican League.
The Pirates scored three runs off Stock in the first inning when Nick Gonzales hit an RBI groundout, and Ronny Simon followed with a two-run double. Stock was driven from the game during a four-run fourth that pushed the lead to 8-0. Gonzales delivered the knockout blow with a two-run double.
“I experienced some bad luck early, but that can be overcome by striking people out, which I didn’t do because I could have executed pitches better,” Stock said. “By the fourth inning, I’m looking up at the scoreboard, and my velo is down and my arm was getting tired. It wasn’t the pitch count that got me but the pitches per minute. I need to be more resilient and throw more strikes so I don’t get fatigued.
“You’re going to get fatigued; it’s going to happen. You still need to fill up the [strike] zone. You can’t walk as many guys as I did.”
Xzavion Curry pitched three scoreless innings in relief of Stock. Catcher Luis Torrens worked the final two innings for the Mets and gave up Brandon Lowe’s leadoff home run in the seventh inning.
The Mets were held to just three singles while being shut out for the 12th time this season.
Rookie Bubba Chandler (5-8) pitched six innings for the win. Lake Bachar and Kirby Yates completed the shutout.
Leadoff man Jake Mangum doubled twice and had three of the Pirates’ 12 hits.