(UPDATED 3.0) PITTSBURGH — Winners of seven of their past eight and coming off a 5-1 homestand, the Mets will try to keep the good times rolling here tonight when Livan Hernandez faces the Pirates at picturesque PNC Park. Hernandez has emerged as a reliable and productive fifth starter for the Mets, allowing just two earned runs combined in his past two starts (16 innings). He also is coming off the first complete game by an Amazin’s starter this season, a nine-hit win over the Nationals at Citi Field last week.
Hernandez is 4-4 with a 5.14 ERA in his career against the Pirates, including an 8-4 win over Pittsburgh at Citi Field on May 10. He will face off against right-hander Ian Snell, who has lost four consecutive decisions and is 0-2 with a 6.11 ERA in six career appearances against the Mets.
As for the lineup, Carlos Beltran was a late scratch due to a lingering stomach virus. Jeremy Reed will take his place in center field.
Here is the 28-21 Mets’ order for the 7:05 p.m. game:
Luis Castillo 2B
Fernando Martinez LF
Daniel Murphy 1B
Gary Sheffield RF
David Wright 3B
Jeremy Reed CF
Wilson Valdez SS
Brian Schneider C
Livan Hernandez RHP (4-1, 4.28)
The 22-28 Pirates will counter with:
Nyjer Morgan LF
Freddy Sanchez 2B
Nate McLouth CF
Adam LaRoche 1B
Eric Hinske RF
Andy LaRoche 3B
Jason Jaramillo C
Jack Wilson SS
Ian Snell RHP (1-6, 5.43)
