Todd Frazier’s return to the lineup didn’t pay a tangible dividend Tuesday night unless the one run the Mets scored, after getting shut out the previous day, counted for something.

In another putrid offensive display, the Mets turned struggling Alex Cobb into Jim Palmer and were even less successful against the Orioles bullpen in a 2-1 loss at Citi Field that extended their losing streak to five games.

The Mets, who have scored twice in their last 33 innings, had an opportunity to steal the game in the eighth facing lefty Richard Bleier, but Asdrubal Cabrera hit into an inning-ending double play continuing his recent skid: the veteran infielder, who carried the Mets for most of the first two months is mired in a 1-for-23 (.043) slump.

Frazier finished 0-for-4 after missing the last month with a strained left hamstring, on a night the Mets (27-31) collected only three hits for the second straight game.

“[Frazier] rejuvenated the dugout for sure,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “He is a high-energy guy, enthusiasm and it’s good to have him back.”

Now if only that enthusiasm could translate into rallies for this beleaguered bunch, which has lost 10-of-12 games overall and seven straight at home. The Orioles (18-41) have the worst record in the major leagues and carried a seven-game losing streak into play.

In the eighth, Amed Rosario walked and Brandon Nimmo’s bunt produced a throwing error by Danny Valencia that put runners on first and second with one out before Cabrera hit a weak grounder that started the inning-ending double play.

“We have to try to create some runs, like [Nimmo] did,” Callaway said. “We put some pressure on them and got some runners on base, so we have to do those small things.”

But the manager conceded: “I don’t think we can force it — it has to be the guys who can do it.”

Jay Bruce was left as the sacrificial lamb in the clubhouse to speak after the game — he answered questions for eight minutes — about the team’s dismal play.

“We have four months to go, and that is the bright spot here,” Bruce said. “I am not saying we can sit back and just wait for it to happen, but we have a talented team and we are starting to get healthy — and that’s not an excuse either — but I like our chances.”

Jason Vargas scuffled in the first inning, allowing two runs, before settling into a groove and getting the Mets through five in decent shape. The lefty departed after only 79 pitches — the Mets needed a pinch hitter for his spot in the order in the fifth — and two earned runs on five hits and one walk allowed. It was a second straight acceptable start from Vargas, who pitched five shutout innings in Atlanta last week.

“I feel like definitely it’s been a more consistent guy out there,” said Vargas, who lowered his ERA from 8.53 to 7.71. “Making pitches and getting through innings at a more consistent rate and what I’m used to, so it’s definitely nice to see the transition.”

Cobb, who entered with a 6.80 ERA, kept the Mets hitless until the fifth, when Bruce singled leading off the inning and took third on Kevin Plawecki’s double. But the Mets managed only one run in the inning, on pinch-hitter Jose Bautista’s sacrifice fly. The run snapped a 21-inning Mets scoreless streak since Saturday.

Vargas allowed three straight singles to begin the game, including one for an RBI to Manny Machado. Valencia’s sacrifice fly put the Mets in a 2-0 hole, but Vargas escaped the inning — and further trouble in the second. Overall, he retired 12 of the final 13 batters he faced, with help from Nimmo’s diving catch on Valencia’s sinking line drive in the third.

“We won nine games in a row this year and that team is not gone,” Bruce said. “We have to figure out a way to get that back.”