Bizarre Pirates-Mets game features two 7th-inning stretches

The New York Mets' Asdrubal Cabrera tosses his helmet and bat after home plate umpire Jim Reynolds called him out on strikes during the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

NEW YORK – David Freese drove in three runs, including an RBI single between a bizarre pair of seventh-inning stretches, and the Pittsburgh Pirates drubbed the New York Mets 11-1 Sunday.

Andrew McCutchen hit a three-run homer, got three hits and scored three times to back rookie Trevor Williams (3-3). Freese and Francisco Cervelli each had three hits.

The Pirates turned four double plays and took two of three at Citi Field, their first road series win since late April in Miami.

Pittsburgh led 5-1 in the seventh when John Jaso appeared to ground into an inning-ending double play. The Mets cleared the field, the Pirates got ready to take their positions and the fans stood throughout the entire singing of "God Bless America."

But in a light drizzle, there was no action at all for a few minutes, leaving most people at the ballpark wondering why. It was then announced to the crowd that Pittsburgh had challenged whether Mets second baseman Neil Walker stepped on the bag while turning the DP.

JUST WHEN THE METS THOUGHT THEY'D SEEN IT ALL, ALONG CAME A BATBOY

The call was reversed on replay, the Mets trudged back onto the field and the Pirates traded their gloves for bats. New York manager Terry Collins, first baseman Lucas Duda and Walker were among those all over the diamond who discussed the decision with umpires.

When play resumed, Freese singled home a run. After Josh Bell grounded out, there was a second seventh-inning stretch, this one with "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" -- the fans stood up again, and some left.

Williams gave up one run in a career-high seven innings.

EX-MAJOR LEAGUER JIM PIERSALL HAS DIED

Rookie Tyler Pill (0-2) allowed five runs in five innings. Two of the runs were unearned after left fielder Michael Conforto twice overthrew bases for errors.

Josh Harrison was hit by a pitch from Josh Edgin in the seventh and, after being ruled safe at second on replay, was pulled for a pinch runner after the first seventh-inning stretch. The Pirates said Harrison was day to day with discomfort in his right calf.

TRAINER'S ROOM

Pirates: OF Gregory Polanco was out of the lineup. Manager Clint Hurdle said it was a regular day of rest, to go along with Monday's day off.

Mets: LHP Steven Matz (elbow inflammation) and RHP Seth Lugo (elbow tear) are set to come off the disabled list to make their season debuts next weekend in Atlanta, Collins said. It hasn't been decided which one will start the second game of a doubleheader Saturday and who will pitch Sunday. Either way, Collins said "they're definitely in."

UP NEXT

Pirates: RHP Ivan Nova (5-4, 2.92 ERA) pitches Tuesday night vs. RHP Kevin Gausman in Baltimore. Nova won both of his starts against the O's last year while with the Yankees. Pittsburgh makes its first visit to Camden Yards since 2014.

Mets: RHP Jacob deGrom (4-2, 3.97) makes his first career start vs. the Rangers on Tuesday night in Texas. He tries to bounce back from his last outing, when he gave up seven runs in four innings against Milwaukee.