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The way it happened was rare in independent ball — and fitting for Jonathan Pintaro’s unorthodox journey.

Glacier Range Riders president Chris Kelly knew a Mets scout had traveled to watch Pintaro make a Pioneer League start last June, and that the Mets were interested in potentially purchasing his contract, but by the time the third inning arrived, the scout saw enough to sign him mid-game.

So the Range Riders made a pitching change. Pintaro knew about the scout, but not that a deal was “imminent,” Kelly told The Post.

No one else on the field, really, knew what was going on, either.