Jonathon Niese allowed one run in 7 2-3 innings, helping the New York Mets beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 Wednesday for their third win in four games.

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Niese (3-2) gave up five hits, struck out five and walked two, five days after matching his career high by allowing eight runs in a 14-5 loss at Toronto.

Bobby Parnell struck out Andrew McCutchen with runners on second and third to end the eighth, and Frank Francisco worked a perfect ninth for his third save in four days, his 12th in 14 chances this season.

Charlie Morton (2-5) lost for the fourth time in five starts, allowing three runs and eight hits in seven innings.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)

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