In a crucial seventh-inning power play, Brett Baty belted a tie-breaking homer, sealing the Mets' 2-1 victory over the struggling Pirates, who haven't scored more than four runs in almost three weeks.

Baty's game-winning blast not only showcased his return to form—hitting four homers in five games since being recalled—but also extended the Pirates' scoring drought to 19 games, raising questions on how many more managers will be in the unemployment line by season's end. Meanwhile, the Mets continue to ride a wave of resurgence, winning six of their last eight games and looking to lock in their newfound consistency as they eye a playoff spot.

Baty's journey back to the big leagues has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. After spending some quality time at Triple-A Syracuse, he returned to the Mets on May 5 and immediately started making headlines. With four home runs in just five games, the only thing missing was an entrance music. He might as well walk to the plate with a soundtrack announcing his triumphant return, though he likely prefers to keep things modest—much like his batting average before the demotion.

In yesterday's game, the Mets kicked off their scoring early. Juan Soto set the stage with a single, followed by a two-out double from Brandon Nimmo, which put the first run on the board. The baseball gods were smiling upon the Mets—at least for a moment—until the tension cranked up during the game. Every pitch was akin to watching a group of office workers attempt to handle a malfunctioning copy machine: tense, awkward, and occasionally with something unexpected flying out.

On the mound, Kodai Senga offered a glimpse of his pitching prowess by allowing just one run throughout the game. However, the Japanese pitcher ghosted his way to a no-decision, leaving the fans whispering about how Senga was possibly following the age-old baseball etiquette of appearing graciously clueless on how to win.

As the game progressed, the Pirates remained the picture of inconsistency. With the firing of their manager Derek Shelton earlier this season, it seems the only thing working in Pittsburgh is the front office's ability to run an audition for their next managerial candidate. The Pirates managed to keep the score within a single point, but scoring four runs or less for the 19th straight game is likely something they wish they could demote just like Baty.

As the game drew to a close, the tension reached its peak when Edwin Diaz stepped up in the ninth inning, striking out two batters to secure the win for the Mets. Diaz is developing a reputation as the person you'd want on your team when things get hairy. Much like a reliable umbrella on an unexpected rainy day, he never lets the fans down, allowing them to ride home with a bit of pep in their step, clutching their Mets caps tightly.

Reflecting on his recent run, Baty spoke with unexpected poise and assurance. "We just need to maintain our consistency and keep up this effort going forward," he stated, sounding like someone who had been offered sage advice from a wise tortoise. With performance like this, one might think the Mets have finally found their footing. That is, until they encounter another unyielding foe—like their own ability to close out successful seasons.

The Mets appear to be cautiously optimistic about their chances moving forward. After watching the Pirates struggle this season, particularly after firing their manager Derek Shelton, the Mets have taken it upon themselves to show their fans what winning can look like. Baty and his crew are filling stands with excitement, raising the stakes for fans everywhere as they hope for a return to the playoffs.

In the end, Baty’s home run wasn't just a tie-breaking hit; it was a microcosm of the teams’ struggles and triumphs, highlighting the resilience that comes with a season riddled with uncertainties. While baseball’s wheel of fate continues to spin for both the Mets and the Pirates, one can only hope that Baty will keep hitting and the Pirates will at least learn to scrape together more than a handful of runs. After all, at this point no one is looking for an encore—just consistent base hits and maybe a few more wins.