Pirates 5, Mets 3 (14 innings)
NEW YORK -- Chris Stewart delivered a pinch-RBI single in the top of the 14th inning and the Pittsburgh Pirates went on to beat the New York Mets 5-3 on Saturday night at Citi Field.
It was the second straight extra-inning win for the Pirates (68-46), who remained 1 1/2 games ahead of the Chicago Cubs in the National League wild-card race.
Stewart's single leading off the 10th on Friday began a two-run inning that lifted Pittsburgh to a 3-2 win.
The Mets (63-54) lost for just the sixth time in their last 20 games.
Right-hander Joe Blanton (2-0) picked up the win, giving up one hit in three innings. Right-hander Mark Melancon converted his 35th straight save opportunity and his 37th overall, allowing one hit in the 14th.
Pirates catcher Francisco Cervelli led off the 14th with a double off left-hander Sean Gilmartin (1-1). Left fielder Starling Marte followed with a high chopper to first base, where Daniel Murphy -- who usually plays second or third base -- fielded it and fired to third to try to get Cervelli. But the throw drew third baseman Juan Uribe off the bag.
Stewart followed with a single up the middle to score pinch-runner Pedro Florimon. Second baseman Sean Rodriguez then blooped a single to center to bring Marte home from third.
Right fielder Gregory Polanco went 3-for-6 with a homer for the Pirates and Cervelli and Rodriguez had two hits apiece.
The Mets trailed 3-0 until the seventh when Uribe led off with a solo homer. Three batters later, left fielder Michael Conforto hit a two-run homer.
Center fielder Yoenis Cespedes had two hits and a stolen base and shortstop Ruben Tejada also had two hits.
The Pirates took a 2-0 lead in the first on a two-run homer by third baseman Aramis Ramirez. Polanco's homer leading off the third made it 3-0.
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.
Morton was charged with three runs, four hits and one walk while tying a season high with nine strikeouts.
Mets left-hander Jonathon Niese gave up three runs, five hits and two walks while striking out five in six innings.
NOTES: Mets 1B Lucas Duda (lumbar strain) sat out his fifth straight game. With LHP Jeff Locke scheduled to start for the Pirates on Sunday, Duda is expected to sit out until Tuesday, when the Mets begin a two-game series against the Baltimore Orioles. ... 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. He last pitched for the Mets on July 5. ... Pirates LF Starling Marte (left hand) was out of the lineup for a third straight game. ... Injured Pirates SS Jordy Mercer (left knee) and INF/OF Josh Harrison (left thumb) were scheduled to resume rehab assignments Saturday with Triple-A Indianapolis.