Complex sentence: After sweeping a three-game series from the Pirates at Shea on September 21, the Mets' record stood at an even 77-77, but that.500 record was good enough for first place and a half-game lead.
Split into simpler sentences: After sweeping a three-game series from the Pirates at Shea on September 21, the Mets' record stood at an even 77-77. But that.500 record was good enough for first place and a half-game lead.