SPORTSTICKER NL PREVIEW PITTSBURGH (Ticker) -- The New York Mets hope to build off Sunday's stunning victory tonight when they open a three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Philadelphia Phillies ace Curt Schilling took a four-run lead into the bottom of the ninth inning but the Mets rallied behind a two-run homer by Robin Ventura and John Olerud's two-out, two-run single to pull out a stirring 5-4 victory. New York has won four of its last five games and is just 1 1/2 games behind first-place Atlanta in the National League East. Mets first baseman John Olerud is batting .454 (20-for-44) during a 13-game hitting streak. With starters Al Leiter and Bobby Jones nursing injuries, the Mets turn to former phenom Jason Isringhausen (NR). The 26-year-old righthander did not pitch last season following right elbow surgery and makes his first major league appearance since September 23, 1997. He went 2-2 with a 7.58 ERA in six starts in 1997, another injury-plagued season for Isringhausen, who is 2-2 with a 5.29 ERA in five career games against the Pirates. The Pirates have won two straight following a five-game losing streak, scoring 17 runs in the two wins after managing just 12 in the slide. Francisco Cordova (0-2, 8.76) makes his second start since coming off the disabled list. The righthander was tagged for five runs and five hits over 5 1/3 innings in a 7-3 loss at Atlanta on Wednesday. Cordova spent over a month on the DL with inflammation in his right shoulder. He is 2-3 with a 4.70 ERA in eight career games against the Mets. The Pirates won five of nine meetings against the Mets last season.  