Mets Explode in First Inning to Stun Pirates Behind Peralta’s Debut

The New York Mets made quite the statement on Thursday at Citi Field, and the Pittsburgh Pirates were the unfortunate recipients of that message. The Mets obliterated the Pirates 11-7 in an Opening Day affair that was decided in the first inning, when Carlos Mendoza’s lineup put on an absolute clinic of run production. If this is what the 2026 NL East has in store, the rest of the division should be nervous.

Let’s start with the elephant in the room: Paul Skenes looked thoroughly human in his Mets debut, which means he looked anything but on Thursday. The hyped Pirates right-hander managed just two-thirds of an inning, surrendering four hits and five earned runs while issuing two walks. That’s not a typo, folks. That’s Opening Day disaster territory. Before you could finish your first hot dog, the game was effectively over.

Brett Baty was the architect of Pittsburgh’s early collapse, absolutely smoking a line drive triple to center in the first inning that scored three runners. Marcus Semien followed with an RBI double, and just like that, the Mets had manufactured five runs before the Pirates even had time to settle into their dugout. This wasn’t a fluke or some random convergence of offensive chaos. This was a team that looked primed and ready.

Lowe Carries the Pirate Banner

To Pittsburgh’s credit, they refused to roll over completely. Brandon Lowe was a one-man wrecking crew, launching two solo home runs and accounting for three RBIs on the day. In any other game, that kind of production might carry a team. On Thursday, it amounted to a consolation prize. Ryan O'Hearn chipped in with a solo shot of his own, but these moments of offensive life couldn’t stem the tide of Mets dominance.

The Pirates’ real problem was that they came to a power-hitting contest with a bunt. Paul Skenes getting shelled in his debut is the kind of storyline that will haunt this franchise if they’re not careful. You don’t hype a kid like that and then have him implode in the worst possible circumstances. Credit Freddy Peralta for being the better pitcher on the day, cruising through five innings with seven strikeouts and zero walks. That’s the kind of disciplined performance that wins ballgames.

Depth Strikes for the Mets

What impressed most about New York’s victory wasn’t just the early barrage, though that certainly set the tone. It was the depth of the offense. Carson Benge, appearing in his first major league game, launched a home run in the sixth inning. Francisco Alvarez went back-to-back with him moments later, crushing a 429-foot missile to left-center. These were rookies and players with limited pedigree stepping up in a big moment, and they delivered.

The Mets’ lineup features enough star power to make any championship team jealous, but what separates contenders from pretenders is when the supporting cast contributes. New York got that contribution in spades on Thursday. Juan Soto reached base and drove in runs. Luis Robert Jr. made a diving catch and notched crucial hits. This team looks like it has the goods.

For the Pirates, this is a brutal way to start a season, but Opening Day doesn’t define anything except the won-loss record. Still, the manner in which they lost should concern Pittsburgh management. Getting overmatched by a Mets team that suddenly looks like a legitimate threat is not a great look heading forward.