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. Raul Mondesi Jersey . It was the kind of score that might make everyone else wonder which course he was playing. Except that Graeme McDowell saw the whole thing. Crouched behind the 10th green at Sheshan International, McDowell looked over at the powerful American and said, "Ive probably seen 18 of the best drives Ive seen all year in the last two days. Custom Johnny Damon Jersey . -- An ugly goal by Nick Bonino helped the Anaheim Ducks overcome the defensive-minded Phoenix Coyotes on a night when their ragged power play continued to struggle. http://www.customyankeesjersey.com/custom-brett-gardner-jersey-large-1324i.html .C. -- When North Carolina freshman Ryan Switzer reported to training camp in August he was a little miffed to learn he was third on the depth chart at punt returner. Roy White Jersey . -- Gus Malzahn finally had his day in Fayetteville. Billy Martin Jersey . Those lessons were more than enough to overwhelm the Utah Jazz. Lou Williams scored 25 points and the Hawks continued their offensive upswing as they rolled to an easy 118-85 victory over the Jazz on Friday night, winning their third straight and for the fourth time in five games. SOUTHPORT, England -- Bernhard Langer seized a three-shot lead after the third round of the Senior British Open on Saturday, mastering Royal Birkdale with superb links play for a 4-under 66. Langer shared the overnight lead with American Mark Wiebe but birdied three of his first seven holes to jump in front on his own. David Frost of South Africa shot his third straight 68 to sit alone in second place, while Wiebe only managed a 70 to drop into third, four shots back. Langers only bogey came on the 14th, but he finished with two birdies on 15 and 17 to stay in control. "That was as good as I can play," said the German veteran, who is bidding for his second Senior British Open title having won at Carnoustie in 2010. "My ball-striking was almost perfect and I played really well, apart from the mistake at the 14th." His lone bogey came when he hit his tee shot to the back of the green, sent his approach putt long and left and missed the return. He got it back immediately with aa birdie at the long 15th, added another at the long 17th and just missed his birdie chance from 12 feet at the last.dddddddddddd Frost made three birdies in a row from the seventh but then made three bogies came on the 10th, 14th and the 18th, with two other birdies in between. Three players are in joint fourth place, six shots back -- home favourite Sandy Lyle (69), Australian Peter Fowler (70) and first-round leader Gene Sauers of the U.S (70). Colin Montgomerie of Scotland also had a 69 but is tied for 13th at 2 over. Miguel Angel Martin of Spain had the days best round of 65 but is also on 2 over. Rod Spittle of Niagara Falls, Ont., was at 3 over and tied for 17th after shooting a 70. Defending champion Fred Couples had a 68, his best round of the week, but his out of contention at 4 over. Irelands Mark McNulty shared fourth place overnight but quickly fell back when he dropped a stroke at each of the first four holes and another two at No. 7 and 8. He finished with a 76. ' ' '