The Mets knocked out NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes in the first inning with a five-run inning and continued to add on runs from there, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates, 11-7, on Opening Day at Citi Field.

The Mets are now 42-23 on Opening Day, the best such winning percentage in MLB.

The Mets’ new-look offense was on full display in the season opener as they made contact in key situations, worked many deep counts in critical at-bats, and produced when it counted, going 5-for-15 with runners in scoring position.

Call it an early return on David Stearns’ offseason priority to build an offense with “more competitive at-bats 1-through-9″ compared to seasons past.

With that in mind the Mets scored the first nine runs without a home run, as they had traffic on the bases all day. For the game they produced 11 hits while taking nine walks.