Pedro Alvarez, Edinson Volquez help Pirates defeat Mets, 5-2

Pedro Alvarez homered and doubled, and Edinson Volquez pitched six scoreless innings as the Pirates beat the Mets Sunday, 5-2.

The Bucs scored their first three runs in the first inning. Colon destroyed the Pirates when they faced him a month ago, but this time they hit him hard. Starling Marte hit a one-out single, then headed to third on Neil Walker's double to right. Ike Davis then singled to left, bringing home both runners. Josh Harrison grounded into a force out, then came all the way around to score as Alvarez doubled to right, somehow slashing the ball through the Mets' shift. Then in the fourth, Harrison doubled to right, and Alvarez homered to right.

That was more than enough support for Volquez and the Pirates' bullpen. Volquez needed to throw 98 pitches to get through six innings, but he was extremely effective, striking out seven. Justin Wilson and Tony Watson pitched scoreless innings after that. Jared Hughes allowed two runs in the ninth, but Mark Melancon relieved him and picked up a one-out save.