NEW YORK - Last night, Jeff Locke struggled early against the Mets, giving up seven earned runs in 4+ innings. Tonight, Juan Nicasio had a similar outing, giving up six earned runs in 4.1 innings. He gave up three home runs, and despite a late rally by the Pirates that made the final score 6-4, the game felt over before the fifth inning ended.
Nicasio's three home runs came against left-handers, with Curtis Granderson leading off the game with a homer, and Neil Walker and Michael Conforto going back-to-back in the third inning. Struggles against lefties aren't a new thing for Nicasio, who had a .