NEW YORK, Oct. 3 (UPI) -- Steve Trachsel pitched his best game in a New York Mets uniform and one of the best of his career Wednesday night, tossing a two-hitter in a 3-0 triumph over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Trachsel (11-13) needed just 110 pitches -- 73 of them strikes -- to record his first complete game and shutout for the Mets, who put the Pirates (60-99) on the brink of their first 100-loss season since 1985.
The righthander struck out seven, walked only two and retired 11 staight at one point as he improved to 10-7 in 20 starts since a demotion to Class AAA Norfolk earlier this season.
It was Trachsel's first complete game since June 20, 2000, when he was as a member of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. And it was his first shutout since May 6, 2000, when he allowed the Boston Red Sox just three hits in outdueling Pedro Martinez, 1-0.
Desi Relaford and Mark Johnson homered and Johnson drove in the game's other run with a sacrifice fly for the Mets, who officially were eliminated from postseason contention on Tuesday.
