PITTSBURGH — The Mets could handle the loss of their best hitter this season. They even showed the ability to overcome the return of Jason Vargas.
But the bullpen had to have the final word.
Taking the field just over an hour after trading Asdrubal Cabrera, the Mets missed a chance to earn their first four-game win streak in more than two months, losing 5-4 to the Pirates on Friday night at PNC Park, on David Freese’s walk-off single.
Rookie Tim Peterson (2-2) opened the bottom of the ninth by allowing singles to Josh Harrison and Gregory Polanco.