PITTSBURGH, Aug. 20 (UPI) -- Josh Thole sparked an early surge with RBI singles in the first and third innings Friday and the New York Mets went on to down Pittsburgh 7-2.
The setback ensured Pittsburgh will have its 18th straight losing season -- a record in American professional sports.
New York needs one more win during the weekend to capture its first road series against a National League team this season.
The Mets scored all their runs during the first four innings -- getting three in the opening frame on RBI singles from Chris Carter, Ike Davis and Thole.
Davis and Jose Reyes both went 3-for-5 and Carter added a solo homer in the third as part of a 15-hit attack.
Mike Pelfrey (12-7) went eight innings for the win, allowing an earned run on six hits.
Jeff Karstens (1-20) suffered his fourth straight setback, giving up all the New York runs on 11 hits in 3 1/3 innings.
