One big swing by Michael Conforto on Sunday saved the Mets from an utterly disastrous weekend in Pittsburgh. Conforto, an outfielder trudging through the worst season of his career, blasted a two-run homer in the ninth inning to lift the Mets past the Pirates, 7-6.
That was nice, of course, but it was something like a cheap parting gift at the end of the dreariest party of the year. Before Sunday’s victory, there were four losses — two games and two superstars — that infused a fun season with a sudden sense of foreboding.
The Mets had three hits on Friday and lost.