Road-loss record possible for Bucs

Associated Press

NEW YORK

Angel Pagan capped New York’s seven-run fourth inning with a tiebreaking two-run single and the Mets handed the Pittsburgh Pirates another road loss with an 8-7 victory Wednesday night.

Paul Maholm (7-15) lasted just 32/3 innings for Pittsburgh, which dropped to 15-58 on the road and could threaten the 1963 Mets’ record for worst road mark (17-64) in a 162-game season.

Jose Reyes hit his 10th homer in the sixth inning for the Mets, who have won three straight.

The Pirates helped New York out with two errors in the big fourth inning, when they wasted a 5-0 lead. Ike Davis and pinch-hitter Mike Hessman each had run-scoring hits in the frame.

Raul Valdes (3-3) came in when Mets starter Jenrry Mejia left with one out in the third inning after straining a muscle in the back of his shoulder. Valdes allowed four runs in 12/3 innings and Hisanori Takahashi, the last of seven Mets pitchers, surrendered a homer to Andrew McCutchen on his first pitch before retiring three straight for his seventh save in seven chances.

Seven consecutive batters reached after Pagan led off the fourth with a routine grounder. He came up again with two down and singled to left-center to put the Mets ahead 7-5.

The Pirates let the tying run score when shortstop Ronny Cedeno mishandled a one-out grounder by pinch-hitter Joaquin Arias. Before Cedeno’s miscue, catcher Chris Snyder dropped a throw from third baseman Pedro Alvarez on Ruben Tejada’s grounder, letting Davis and Nick Evans score.

Maholm (7-15) was charged with seven runs, just two earned, and seven hits. He walked two and struck out one.