Mets catch up in the ninth inning and beat the Pirates in a thrilling game

PITTSBURGH — The Mets found themselves in a familiar position of disappointment on Sunday after blowing a lead in the bullpen, but they at least had a chance to make things right.

They methodically built a comeback in the ninth inning and then got the decisive hit from Francisco Lindor, who scored the equalizer and the lead with his two-out, two-run single in a 3-2 victory over the Pirates at PNC Park.

Lindor’s single buried former Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman a half-inning after Edwin Diaz had built up a one-run lead.

Francisco Alvarez led the comeback with a walk and Harrison Bader hit a single.

Chapman struck out Mark Vientos and pinch hitter Luis Torrens before Jose Iglesias loaded the bases with a walk before Lindor reached base for the fourth time in the game with his two-run single.

After allowing two singles around one out after a fouled bunt for strike three early in the eighth inning, Dedniel Nunez struck out Bryan Reynolds for the second out, prompting manager Carlos Mendoza to bring in Diaz, a day after the closer returned from a 10-game suspension for violating MLB rules on foreign substances.

On Saturday, Diaz had a largely uneventful ninth inning with a three-run lead and the save, but on this day he walked Joshua Palacios to load the bases before Nick Gonzales hit a single through the shortstop gap for a two-run single that gave the Pirates a 2-1 lead.

Diaz returned to the mound after Lindor’s decisive hit and pitched a perfect ninth inning.

Brandon Nimmo’s RBI double in the eighth inning against former Mets relief pitcher Colin Holderman broke the scoreless deadlock.

Lindor managed a two-out walk before Nimmo scored with a hit to left-center field.

Sean Manaea gave the Mets six scoreless innings, allowing two hits, three walks and six strikeouts.

It was the left-hander’s second consecutive appearance in which he pitched at least six innings after failing to reach that mark in seven consecutive starts.

The Mets were happy to see Luis Ortiz leave after six innings.

The fiery right-hander allowed just four hits in six scoreless innings in his second start of the season, without allowing a single walk.

Ortiz gave the Mets two scoring opportunities: Lindor’s two-out single in the third inning moved Vientos to third base before Nimmo suffered a strikeout in his second consecutive at-bat.

Lindor doubled in the sixth and reached third base on Nimmo’s ground out, but JD Martinez was tagged out, ending the threat.

The Pirates repeatedly sent runners to the bases against Manaea, but the left-hander managed to avoid damage.

He walked two batters in the first inning, but got Reynolds to hit a double play that helped end the inning.

In the second inning, Manaea missed the sack covering first base, allowing Ke’Bryan Hayes to get to first base first of the inning, but there were three straight outs afterward.

Hayes reached third base on a wild pitch and a stolen base.

In the fifth inning, Joey Bart hit a ball over third base, but was thrown out by left fielder Jeff McNeil while attempting to turn it into a double.

Alvarez doubled against Carmen Molodzinski in the seventh inning, but both Vietnos and DJ Stewart were tagged out, leaving the game scoreless.

Hayes hit a single against Reed Garrett early in the bottom of the inning, but after pinch-hitter Oneil Cruz struck out pinch-hitter Rowdy Tellez, a double play ensued.

Iglesias hit a single against Holderman in the eighth inning, but was thrown out while attempting to steal second base.

Lindor followed with his walk, which led to the Mets scoring.