NEW YORK -- Aargh.
Bobby Parnell failed to record an out during his relief appearance and the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the New York Mets 3-2 in 10 innings before an announced crowd of 38,495 on Friday night at Citi Field.
Parnell surrendered consecutive singles to Chris Stewart, Francisco Cervelli and Gregory Polanco and was pulled by Mets manager Terry Collins with the Pirates having taken a one-run lead in the 10th. Carlos Torres entered and allowed one baserunner inherited from Parnell to score to give the Pirates a 3-1 lead.
The Mets moved back within a run in the bottom of the 10th when Juan Lagares doubled and scored on Curtis Granderson’s sacrifice fly, but Pirates closer Mark Melancon nonetheless recorded his franchise-record 34th consecutive save.
The Mets (63-53) missed a chance to move 12 games over .500 for the first time since the end of the 2008 season.
The Amazin’s now own a four-game lead in the division pending the outcome of the Washington Nationals' late-night game against the San Francisco Giants.
The Mets dropped to 9-18 against the NL Central this season.
Pirates starter J.A. Happ took a scoreless effort into the bottom of the sixth before the Mets finally got on the scoreboard. Yoenis Cespedes (3-for-4) opened the frame with a solo homer that evened the score at 1.
Cespedes became the first Cuban-born player to reach the 20-homer plateau in each of his opening four MLB seasons, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Daniel Murphy's one-out double later in the sixth chased Happ. Right-hander Jared Hughes entered and retired Michael Cuddyer on a groundout. Wilmer Flores then popped out to strand Murphy and preserve a tie.
The Mets wasted a golden opportunity earlier, too.
The Amazin’s had placed two in scoring position with none out in the third and had the Nos. 3 through 5 hitters due up against Happ after Lagares singled and Granderson doubled. However, Cespedes struck out, Juan Uribe popped out and Murphy struck out.
Bartolo Colon surrendered a solo homer to Neil Walker in the first inning, then held the Pirates off the scoreboard for the remainder of his seven-inning outing in a no-decision.
Snapped: Anthony Recker snapped a hitless streak of 22 at-bats at the major league level with a two-out single in the ninth.
What’s next: Jonathon Niese (7-9, 3.46 ERA) opposes right-hander Charlie Morton (7-4, 4.48) Saturday at 7:10 p.m. ET.
