PITTSBURGH — Sean Manaea’s dominance Sunday elicited reminders of why the Mets gave him a $75 million contract in the first place.

Fastballs that registered 95 mph, swings and misses, barely any solid contact for the Pirates. All of it turned into Manaea’s best performance of the season to lead the Mets’ 11-1 victory at PNC Park. The win was their fifth in six games and gave them two series victories to begin this three-city road trip.

Offensively, the Mets had no shortage of contributors. Bo Bichette had the biggest day, with a 5-for-5 performance with three RBIs. Luis Robert Jr. and Francisco Alvarez each homered.

Manaea began this season in the bullpen after a lackluster spring, but lately has resembled a solid middle-of-the-rotation option. On Sunday he was very ace-like in striking out 11 batters over seven innings in which he allowed one earned run on three hits.

“I am just really proud of the number of strikes I threw, getting ahead of guys,” Manaea said. “The offense did an amazing job getting out early and scoring runs. It was just my job to keep them at bay and I felt like I did a really good job.”

Manaea’s start was his fourth straight of at least six innings with two earned runs or fewer allowed. The left-hander has pitched to a 3.39 ERA since May 10. Overall, he owns a 4.13 ERA this season.

Mets starting pitcher Sean Manaea delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Sunday, August 9, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Most notably Manaea averaged 92.9 mph with his four-seam fastball, a full 2 mph above his season average. He peaked at 95 mph.

“Anytime you are seeing the best version of a player it’s fun to watch and to know how much work he put in to get where he is right now is even more fun,” interim manager Andy Green said. “He is a great teammate. He works incredibly hard.”

A strong finish by Manaea might provide the Mets with a measure of confidence. Manaea is signed through next season.

“I take pride in taking the ball and trying to go deep into games and giving the team a chance to win,” Manaea said. “And I feel I have been at least able to do that the last few starts. We have got an incredible team here, so I am just trying to help the boys.”

Former Mets prospect Jake Mangum homered against Manaea in the third inning for the only Pirates run. Manaea did not walk a batter, helping him to complete seven innings at 91 pitches.

Carson Benge — back in the lineup after missing the previous game with a bone bruise in his left wrist — delivered an RBI single in the first and Robert’s ensuing sacrifice fly gave the Mets a 2-0 lead. The Mets began the game by loading the bases with nobody out.

Robert smashed a two-run homer in the third before Marcus Semien followed Jared Young’s triple with an RBI single to extend the Mets lead to 5-0. Robert’s homer was his fifth this season.

The Mets broke it open by sending nine batters to the plate and scoring four runs in the fourth. After the Mets loaded the bases without a hit to begin the inning, Bichette delivered a bases-clearing double. Young’s RBI single sank the Pirates into a 9-1 hole.

Francisco Alvarez homered leading off the fifth. Alvarez’s homer was his 13th this season and first since July 24. Robert stroked an RBI single in the seventh that gave him a fourth RBI in the game, extending the Mets lead to 11-1.

Bo Bichette of the Mets celebrates after hitting a three-run RBI double in the fourth inning during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, August 9, 2026. Getty Images

Manaea was asked what the last two series have shown about the Mets, who are 15 games below .500 as they prepare to open a series at NL East-leading Atlanta.

“We’re pretty gritty and we’re good,” Manaea said. “We have just got to believe that.”