Wheeler does a bit of everything in win

PITTSBURGH — Zack Wheeler didn’t receive much help from the New York Mets on offense. Luckily for the Mets, Wheeler was prepared to help himself.

The right-hander pitched six strong innings and drove in the lone run, leading New York to a 1-0 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday.

“I think being successful definitely helps,” Wheeler said. “I have the same confidence, or same demeanor, but when you’re getting guys out on a consistent basis and doing what you want to do pitch by pitch, then it makes it a lot easier and fun.”

Wheeler (5-6) allowed five hits with seven strikeouts and one walk, and got his fourth RBI of the season on a double in the fifth. He won a third straight start after giving up a combined six runs in 14 2⁄3 innings over his past two.

“He’s just steady as he can be these days,” Mets manager Mickey Callaway said. “So, it’s fun to get to run him out there every five days. … The way he’s attacking hitters now, he knows his stuff is good. He knows he’s going to beat them. That makes for the most effective pitcher.”

The Mets split the fourgame series with the Pirates, who lost for just the fourth time in their past 19 games.

Right-handed reliever Anthony Swarzak retired the side in order, striking out two, in the ninth for his third save.

As much as he enjoyed shutting out Pittsburgh through six, Wheeler said he was more proud of his double. It helped his own cause after Luis Guillorme singled with two outs. Wheeler sent a drive off Joe Musgrove (4-5) over right fielder Gregory Polanco to score Guillorme from second. “It was a fun battle,” Musgrove said. “It was a pitcher’s duel for the most part of the game. I think he probably feels pretty good right now being able to win the game himself with the big double there. It was well-pitched game on both sides.”

Musgrove didn’t allow a hit until the fifth, when he gave up a leadoff single to Austin Jackson before the two hits from Guillorme and Wheeler. Two Mets reached base in the first four innings: Jackson walked in the second and Brandon Nimmo was hit by a pitch in the fourth.