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PITTSBURGH -- The first pitch Andrew McCutchen saw from New York Mets reliever David Aardsma sent the Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star centerfielder sprawling. The second ended up in the seats. McCutchen responded from the brushback by belting a homer to tie the game in the sixth and then provided the go-ahead single in the seventh to help the Pirates rally for a 4-2 victory on Saturday. "I was just ready to hit," McCutchen said. "Come up and in and (I) just like to bear down and be ready to hit and thats what happened." Justin Wilson (6-1) earned the victory in relief of starter A.J. Burnett. All-Star closer Jason Grilli worked a perfect ninth for his NL-leading 29th save. The victory assured Pittsburgh (56-36) of its best record at the All-Star break since 1975 and moved the Pirates into a tie with St. Louis for the top spot in the NL Central. "We just want to continue to keep rolling," McCutchen said. Thats hardly an issue at the moment for Pittsburgh, which responded to a four-game losing streak by ripping off three straight wins. Three years after posting the worst record in baseball at 57-105, the Pirates can match their entire win total of that miserable season with a victory in Sundays series finale. "Nobody is satisfied," manager Clint Hurdle said. No, but theyre certainly encouraged. The bullpen picked up its 21st win of the season -- tied for the major league high -- when Wilson bailed Burnett out of a two-on, two-out jam in the sixth. The Mets managed just one hit the rest of the way, giving the Pirates all the room they would need to rally from an early 2-0 deficit. Marlon Byrd and Eric Young had two hits apiece for the Mets, but New Yorks relievers faltered in relief of spot starter Carlos Torres. A series of extra-inning games by the Mets -- including a 3-2 loss in 11 innings on Friday -- has left the pickings slim for manager Terry Collins. "Those guys are out of gas," Collins said. "Those arms are hanging." The Mets grinded their way to an early 2-0 lead against Burnett. Kirk Nieuwenhuis doubled home Byrd in the fourth and Byrd added an RBI infield single in the fifth as Pittsburghs ace struggled with his command. Burnett surrendered two runs on seven hits in 5 2-3 innings, striking out eight but walking four in his second start since returning from a torn calf. He escaped further damage in the sixth when Wilson struck out Daniel Murphy with runners on the corners. "You never want to come out of a game, but you feel pretty good when these guys come in behind you," Burnett said. The Pirates didnt let the reprieve go to waste. After McCutchen tied the game with his 10th homer of the season in the sixth, pinch hitter Travis Snider started the game-winning rally with a one-out single in the seventh. Jose Tabata followed one batter later with a single and Snider scored when McCutchens sharp grounder deflected off New York third baseman David Wrights glove and into the outfield. Pittsburgh added an insurance run when New Yorks Josh Edgin walked Russell Martin with the bases loaded. Torres filled in capably for All-Star Matt Harvey, forced to miss a start due to a blister on his right (pitching) hand. Torres pitched five effective innings in his first major league start in nearly three years. The right-hander gave up just one run and struck out five. Torres worked as a starter in Triple-A Las Vegas this season before moving into a relievers role when the Mets called him up in mid-June. He hadnt thrown more than 45 pitches since returning to the majors and cruised into the fifth before tiring. Garrett Jones doubled and scored on Jordy Mercers single. Clint Barmes followed with a double and a sacrifice bunt and a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases with one out. Yet Torres survived when Tabata hit into a double play to end the threat. "I was just taking it inning by inning and I thought pretty well until the fifth," Torres said. "That fifth inning was brutal. I lost my command and I left a lot of balls up. I guess maybe I ran out of gas a little." Torres then handed it over to the bullpen, but New Yorks relievers -- whose 1.76 ERA this month is the second-best mark in baseball -- couldnt make it hold up. NOTES: The Mets activated RHP Scott Atchison off the disabled list following the game and sent utility player Jordany Valdespin to Triple-A Las Vegas ... Atchison is 0-0 with a 4.50 ERA in 19 appearances with New York this season ... The series concludes Sunday when Pittsburghs Gerrit Cole (4-2, 3.68 ERA) faces New Yorks Dillon Gee (6-7, 4.60). Cole is starting in place of Jeff Locke, who is dealing with back stiffness that will force him to sit out next Tuesdays All-Star game ... New York reliever LaTroy Hawkins was held out again due to soreness in his right triceps. Collins says the decision on whether to put Hawkins on the disabled list wont be made until after the All-Star break.Von Miller Youth Jersey . Its an influence in football and a big part of the game. Custom Denver Broncos Jerseys . Vettel was 0.168 seconds faster than Red Bull teammate Mark Webber around the Suzuka circuit. Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg was two tenths of a second off Vettel. "The car balance is decent, but I think we can still improve," Vettel said. http://www.thebroncosstoreonline.com/Youth-drew-lock-broncos-jerseys/ . What general manager Dave Nonis called "short and productive" negotiations ended with Kessel signing a US$64-million, eight-year contract on Tuesday. Von Miller Womens Jersey . Badenhop was 2-3 with a 3.47 ERA in 63 relief appearances for Milwaukee this season. He is 18-20 in his career with three saves and a 3. Dre Mont Jones Womens Jersey . -- Matt Kuchar and Harris English ran away with the Franklin Templeton Shootout, shooting a 14-under 58 on Sunday in the final-round scramble to break the tournament course record.PORTLAND, Ore. -- A pregame chat with teammate Dwyane Wade inspired Jimmy Butler against the Blazers.Butler went on to have 27 points and 12 rebounds, and the Chicago Bulls opened a six-game road trip with a 113-88 victory over Portland on Tuesday night.Wade had 19 points for Chicago, which extended its modest winning streak to three games. Former Blazers center Robin Lopez added 13 points and 11 rebounds.I was talking to D-Wade before the game and he tells me to go out with a killer instinct, make them adjust to you -- go out with a full head of steam and show them why you are one of the best players in the league, Butler said. Thats what I try to do. Having D-Wade tell me that makes me think there is some truth to it.The Blazers, who had won five of six, were cold from the start, falling behind by as many as 26 points. Damian Lillard, who made just two shots from the field in the first half, finished with 19 points.Chicago, coming off a 106-95 victory over Washington on Saturday, was without Rajon Rondo because of a left ankle sprain. Jerian Grant made his first start of the season and had 18 points.The Blazers played their third straight game without starting forward Al-Farouq Aminu, who has a sore left calf and is expected to be re-evaluated next week. Meyers Leonard has been inserted into the lineup in his absence, but he struggled and played 15 minutes with no points.The Bulls built a 20-7 lead to open the game as Portland struggled, hitting just two of 13 shots. The Blazers were outscored 35-14 in the first quarter.Butler led the way with 11 points. Lillard, who was ranked third in the league with an average of 30.7 points a game, went 0 for 7 from the floor and didnt make his first basket until midway through the second quarter.Once we got in that hole we couldnt dig out, Lillard said.Butler finished the half with 19 points and the Bulls led 56-37. Wade had a two-handed dunk to extend Chicagos lead to 66-42.We believe in ourselves, we are buying into the system, everyone is working on their game, Butler said.dddddddddddd We are actually paying attention to the scouting reports and doing what were supposed to do to win.Blazers coach Terry Stotts was asked if it was just one of those nights for Portland.I dont know, I think its difficult to evaluate. You ask about effort? When you shoot 20 percent (in the first quarter) I dont think thats effort, Stotts said. So thats why its a little difficult to evaluate when youre struggling on the offensive end.TIP-INSBulls: The Bulls lead the league with an average of 13.6 offensive rebounds per game. They had 19 against Portland. ... Doug McDermott was also out because of a concussion. ... Lopez and LaMarcus Aldridge, Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews all left the Blazers prior to last season, leaving Lillard as the lone starter to return.Trail Blazers: The Trail Blazers hosted the teams first Pride Night to celebrate diversity and inclusion. Proceeds from special sweatshirts and a raffle will go to the Q Center, a local LGBTQ community center. ... At the half, the Blazers also honored athletes who participated in this summers Rio Olympics with Oregon ties, including hurdler Devon Allen and marathoner Galen Rupp.JERIANS START: Grant made his first start a memorable one. In addition to his 18 points he also had five steals.Jerian stepped in big tonight, guarding one of the best point guards in the league, Wade said. He just found out right before the game that he was starting and he played big for us tonight.BULLS IN PORTLAND: Chicago has won two consecutive games in the Rose City for the first time since 1995-98, when it won three straight.UP NEXT:Bulls: Chicago visits the Utah Jazz on Thursday night.Trail Blazers: Portland embarks on a five-game road trip, starting with the Houston Rockets on Thursday night. ' ' '