PITTSBURGH, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Zach Duke pitched eight shutout innings Sunday as the Pittsburgh Pirates kept the New York Mets' celebration on hold one more day with a 3-0 victory.
The Mets' magic number to clinch the NL East crown remains one. The Mets can wrap it up at home, as they open a four-game series with Florida Monday.
Advertisement
Duke (10-13) scattered eight hits and a walk while striking out six for the Pirates, who have won five of their last six games.
Freddy Sanchez had two RBI for Pittsburgh and Chris Duffy scored two runs.
Endy Chavez had three hits for the Mets, who have lost five of their last seven games.
Losing pitcher John Maine (5-5) gave up just two runs on six hits through six innings.
