In 5 of Johan’s 11 starts this season, the Mets have scored 2 runs or less.

That is cause for concern because this offense is much more capable then that. You can’t even blame it on the injuries, the many many freak injuries. The Mets couldn’t score runs for Johan Santana before they all got hurt.

Pirates pitcher Zach Duke is having a good year, so another strong showing wasn’t unexpected.

But still, we’ve lost 3 of 4 and giving that team at the other end of the NJ Turnpike some breathing room. We need to get this rode trip turned around, and you would hope the lowly, low budget, overachieving Pirates couldn’t possibly be capable of sweeping us.