AP Photos Top: New York shortstop Jose Reyes, left, reaches to try to tag Pittsburgh’s Andy LaRoche after he slid past second during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh on Sunday. Above: Mets pitcher Johan Santana throws to the plate on his way to a three-hit shutout in the Mets’ 4-0 victory.

PITTSBURGH — The Pirates did little to reward their fans during a lost weekend against the Mets. In front of three consecutive sellouts at PNC Park, the Bucs’ bats were relatively silent. Sunday’s outcome resulted in a 4-0 shutout loss to former Cy Young Award winner Johan Santana who made it look all too easy against John Russell’s ballclub. Santana allowed three singles in a dominant performance. Pirates shortstop Jack Wilson collected two hits and third baseman Andy LaRoche had the other. Though Pirates’ starter Jeff Karstens did not pitch poorly, there was virtually no margin for error vs. New York’s ace. “He was nasty,” confirmed Bucs’ first baseman Adam LaRoche, a three-time strikeout victim. “Any time you pitch nine innings and only allow three singles, that’s impressive.” In addition to Sunday’s listless attack, the Pirates experienced a week to forget. In four of their five setbacks, the offense generated one run or fewer. “We’re not going good right now and (our opponents) smell blood,” Adam LaRoche added. “Of course, you want to play better (than this) at home.” Karstens was victimized by two home runs, the first coming in the top of the second against Mets catcher Brian Schneider. Ahead in the count 0-2, Karstens served up Schneider’s fourth of the season, a drive into the right-field stands. “That shouldn’t happen (with that pitch count),” Karstens said. “It was lack of focus on my part more than anything else.