Mets 4, Pirates 2
Mets 4, Pirates 2: John Buck ripped a two-run single and Dillon Gee tossed 6 2/3 solid innings as visiting New York salvaged the finale of the three-game series.
Daniel Murphy belted an RBI triple and Marlon Byrd added a run-scoring, ground-rule double. Eric Young Jr. collected his third two-hit performance of the series and scored twice for the Mets, who finished 6-3 on their nine-game road trip.
Starling Marte had an RBI double in the third inning for the Pirates, who failed in their bid to register a 57th victory. That tally would have matched the first-half win total of the franchise's celebrated 1971 World Series contingent.
After Byrd opened the scoring, Buck capped the three-run first inning by fisting a 1-2 fastball from rookie Gerrit Cole (4-3) into right field. David Wright and Byrd came around to score on the two-out hit.
Staked to the early lead, Gee (7-7) overcame a throwing error that led to the lone run he allowed. Gee, who yielded five hits, improved to 3-0 lifetime against the Pirates. Two relievers bridged the gap to Bobby Parnell, who stranded a pair of runners in the ninth for his 17th save.
GAME NOTEBOOK: With Pittsburgh LHP Jeff Locke scratched from Tuesday's All-Star Game due to lower back stiffness, Pirates set-up reliever Mark Melancon was added to the National League team. Melancon's inclusion gives Pittsburgh five All-Stars - the club's most since 1972. ... Cole settled down after his 31-pitch first inning but suffered his third straight loss after yielding three runs and six hits over five frames. ... Pittsburgh 3B Pedro Alvarez went 0-for-4 to see his 10-game hitting streak come to an end, but he did make a diving play to tag out Murphy after his RBI triple in the seventh inning.