MLB

Mets bullpen wastes Pelfrey’s gem in second straight loss to Phillies

David Einhorn got his first look at his potential future investment last night. And after the Mets imploded in the late innings for a second consecutive night, the prospective minority owner might want to rethink his $200 million investment.

The Mets’ bullpen blew up again, as a one-run lead evaporated in the Phillies’ three-run eighth and the Mets lost 5-2 at Citi Field.

They wasted a fine performance from Mike Pelfrey, who rebounded after the rough ending of his prior start against the Yankees by limiting the Phillies to four hits and two runs in 7 2/3 innings last night.

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After Pelfrey gave up a two-out single to Jimmy Rollins, he was replaced by left-hander Mike O’Connor.

“Obviously, my pitch count was getting up there,” Pelfrey said, referring to being removed after 116 pitches. “He made the decision to bring someone else in. I’m confident in everyone in the bullpen and coming out of the game with two outs and a runner on first, 99 out of 100 times, you get that guy outa It didn’t work out.”

O’Connor then watched as Rollins stole second.

“[Terry Collins] told me to keep him close, but once I got to two strikes, I focused on the hitter,” O’Connor said. “I definitely didn’t want him to get to second there.”

Rollins scored on Chase Utley’s single to left when O’Connor hung a curveball.

“I feel like I let [Pelfrey] down,” O’Connor said. “When you throw four pitches and let the game get away, [it] stinks for everybody.”

Things got worse after O’Connor was replaced by Jason Isringhausen, who faltered for a second straight night, walking the only batter he faced, Placido Polanco.

Collins then opted to lift Isringhausen for southpaw Tim Byrdak to face the lefty Ryan Howard. The Mets paid for that decision, as Howard ripped a hanging slider for the game-winning double down the right field line, scoring Utley and Polanco.

The Mets had been 18-1 when leading after seven innings before Friday night’s trouble against the Phillies, when Isringhausen and Francisco Rodriguez had a hand in the 6-4 defeat.

Pelfrey appeared to have righted the Mets’ ship, especially when he retired 12 in a row after walking Carlos Ruiz in the fourth.

Collins had expected a good start from Pelfrey, who surrendered four runs in an eight-run seventh inning against the Yankees in his previous start.

Unfortunately for Pelfrey, the bullpen failed him and the Mets’ offense didn’t do much against left-hander Cole Hamels, who struck out 10 in his seven innings.

After scratching out two early runs against Hamels, the Mets’ bats went silent.

“I’m not a good hitter, but I’ve faced him quite a bit and he was pretty sharp,” Pelfrey said. “It’s about the best I’ve seen him.”

Nevertheless, the Mets seemed poised to pick the win in the eighth.

“I wish I could have gotten the third out and got the ball to [Rodriguez],” Pelfrey said.

It also didn’t help that the Mets’ offense, again without David Wright and Ike Davis, scored three or fewer runs for the ninth time in 11 games. The Phillies retired the last 17 Mets they faced.

“I think there’s a more realistic expectation than others,” Jason Bay said. “I think we realize we’re not set up now to score nine runs, but that’s probably better than scoring two.”

Einhorn, no doubt, would like to see that.

dan.martin@nypost.com