MLB: N.Y. Mets 8, Pittsburgh 4

NEW YORK, May 10 (UPI) -- Livan Hernandez yielded two runs and seven hits in six innings Sunday to help the New York Mets down the struggling Pittsburgh Pirates 8-4.

The Mets have won a season-high seven games in a row.

Hernandez (3-1) walked four batters and fanned five on 104 pitches.

At the plate, both Luis Castillo and Omir Santos had two hits and two RBI.

Jose Reyes had two hits and one RBI, while three others knocked in one run for the Mets, who are alone in first place in the National League East Division.

Reyes added his 300th career stolen base in the seventh.

Pittsburgh was led by Nate McLouth's two hits -- one a two-run ninth-inning homer -- and three RBI.

Robinzon Diaz had three hits and one RBI, while Delwyn Young added a run and two hits for the Pirates, who suffered their eighth consecutive loss.

Losing pitcher Ian Snell (1-5) gave up three earned runs and six hits in six innings.