Church Offering: Run-Scoring Single In 10th Lifts Mets Over Bucs

July 2, 2009 6:34 p.m. EST

Pittsburgh, PA (AHN) - Ryan Church ripped a run-scoring single in the 10th inning, lifting the New York Mets to a 9-8 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates Thursday.

The Mets blew a three-run lead late, but recovered to win their second straight and level their record to 39-39.

The Mets had an 8-5 lead going into the seventh, but Pedro Feliciano gave up a Garrett Jones solo shot to cut the lead to two runs.

Frankie Rodriguez could not hold on to that advantage either, as Adam LaRoche cracked a two-run homer in the ninth to tie it at 8-8.

After Church's clutch-hit, K-Rod shook off his third blown save to record the final three outs to improve his record to 2-2.

K-Rod's final line of four hits and two runs allowed was nearly as bad as starter Tim Redding's, who went 2 1-3 innings and gave up six hits and five runs.

K-Rod will also need a day off after throwing just three fewer pitches than Redding with 46.

The Pirates (36-43) had little to boast about either, after blowing a 5-0 lead after three frames.

Robinzon Diaz had a pair of run-scoring hits over that span for the Bucs.

The Mets blew by the Pirates with eight runs over the fourth, fifth and sixth innings on a Fernando Tatis two-run homer and RBI singles by four teammates.

Paul Maholm was broasted for 11 hits and six runs over 4 1-3 innings for the Pirates.

Matt Capps notched the loss to fall to 1-4.