Pirates pre-game: JA Happ vs. Bartolo Colon

The Mets and Pirates met in Pittsburgh for a three game series at the end of May a series in which the Pirates completely dominated.

After the All-Star break, the Pirates are one of many few groups above. “So we’re going to take it out there and do whatever we have to do to try to win a game that night”.

Gilmartin had thrown a ideal 13th, but stumbled with an extra inning of work. First baseman Daniel Murphy grabbed the grounder, but made a late throw to third trying to get Cervelli.

Quite a night for ex-Yankee catchers, eh?

Stewart followed with a single up the middle to score pinch-runner Pedro Florimon.

It was the second straight evening of taut, bonus-frame baseball between the two contenders and perhaps offered the Mets a referendum on what might be coming if they can hold their lead in the National League East and reach the postseason. The Mets are 0-5 against Pittsburgh this year and 9-19 against the division. They had two men on and no outs after scoring two runs in the 14th, then bunted into a double play and were caught stealing with the red-hot Polanco at the plate.

The Mets made Morton, Ramirez and Hurdle pay when Michael Conforto homered on a 2-1 pitch to tie the game.

Pirates right-hander Charlie Morton allowed two hits – both singles by Cespedes – through six innings before the Mets tied the score in a 14-pitch span in the seventh. Half-physical, half-mental. Happ said he adjusted his delivery and refocused himself after the loss to the Cubs.

“That was a great swing, a great moment in the game”, Niese added. The Rangers broke loose for seven runs in the bottom of the 6th for a 10-1 lead. But they have a good pen.

Cespedes also did something memorable before the game went to extra innings.

Despite allowing a run, Mark Melancon picked up his 36th save of the season in Friday’s 3-2, 10-inning win over the Mets. Mets LHP Steven Matz (left lat tear) began a rehab assignment with Class A St. Lucie on Saturday, allowing one run in one inning and throwing 23 pitches.

The play electrified the crowd of 38,878 and tamped down a potential Pirate threat. “I think the scouting reports, the studying I do, basically what I call homework behind everything, prepares me to best call the game and best know my pitchers out there”.

Collins said he had never seen anything like it. “Not from that distance, especially”, he said.

The Pirates took charge in the top of the 14th. 1B Lucas Duda (lumbar strain) hadn’t played in four games, but drew a walk as a pinch-hitter in the 12th. What happened next was even worse, though. Then, in the third inning, Polanco again hit the first pitch he saw, this time for a homer off the foul pole in right.

It was Conforto’s second major league homer and his first since August 3 at Miami.

“It is what it is”, Niese said. “When you go deep into a game, you have to battle”.

“I definitely was surprised”, Rodriguez said. “It is what it is”. Cervelli singled to left, S.Marte to third.