Steven Matz
Frank Franklin II/AP Photo

The New York Mets secured their second straight series win, shutting down Pittsburgh with a career-best evening from Steven Matz.

It had been a long time since New York Mets‘ left-hander Steven Matz saw the eighth inning from anywhere but a dugout. He crushed that barrier on Saturday night.

The veteran threw the first complete game of his career, needing only 99 pitches to get through a 3-0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citi Field. Matz allowed only five hits and struck out seven in making his personal history.

The Mets (49-55) earned their second consecutive series victory. They previously took two of three from San Diego.

Matz (W, 6-6) allowed just two baserunners through his first five innings. In the sixth, he let up a Jacob Stallings double and a Kevin Newman single that situated runners at the corners with one out. He would get out of the inning by forcing Melky Cabrera into a double play.

Only two more singles from the Pirates (46-58) followed, allowing Matz to make his mark. He is the first Mets pitcher to throw a complete-game shutout in less than 100 pitches since Johan Santana did so in May 2012.

The Mets’ offense had troubles of their own against Trevor Williams (L, 3-4). Williams didn’t allow a hit through his first four innings, but the Mets finally broke through with a home run from Michael Conforto. Two more runs were tacked via another homer, as J.D. Davis hit one to center one inning later.

Matz’s dominance allowed the Mets to earn a win despite picking up only four hits on offense. Davis accounted for half of that tally as the only New York batter with multiple hits. Williams struck out an equal seven over seven frames before giving way to Kyle Crick.

The Mets have won four of their past five after Saturday’s win. They’ll go for their first sweep of a set of at least three games since May Sunday afternoon in Queens (1:10 p.m. ET, SNY). Jason Vargas (5-5, 3.96 ERA) will go up against Chris Archer (3-7, 5.40 ERA).

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