NEW YORK (KDKA/AP) — The Pirates blew a 2-0 lead, losing to the New York Mets, 7-3.

The Bucs are now 24-28 after losing the first of four to the Mets on Monday.

Charlie Morton (2.51 ERA) allowed 11 hits, 3 runs – one earned – and struck out four over six innings.

Daniel McCutchen (1-1) takes the loss after Josh Thole hit a two-run double in the bottom of the seventh that gave the Mets the lead after it was tied 3-3.

Thole matched his career high with three RBIs on Saturday – after beginning the day batting .182 with runners in scoring position.

McCutchen entered with a 0.40 ERA, the lowest among NL relievers.

New York did its damage with only three regulars in the lineup for the opener of a four-game series. Jose Reyes was placed on the bereavement list earlier in the day and left fielder Jason Bay was given a planned day off.

The only regular starters in the lineup were Thole, right fielder Carlos Beltran and center fielder Angel Pagan. Third baseman David Wright and first baseman Ike Davis are on the disabled list.

No problem, apparently. Daniel Murphy had three hits for the second consecutive day, while Pagan and fill-in shortstop Ruben Tejada also had three singles apiece.

Chris Snyder hit a two-run homer in the second inning for the Pirates, who dropped to 0-8 at Citi Field. He helped give back those runs, however, with a pair of passed balls in the bottom half.