NEW YORK - In mid-September, the Mets were cruising in front like a really fast horse running against a relentless opponent that simply did not have enough speed to keep up. Then, they lost three straight to the Phillies. They managed to lose five of six to the Nationals while giving up an insane 53 runs in the losses to the team that had been the lowest scoring in baseball.
Suddenly, the team that had been in first in the National League East for 146 days was staring at the possibility of losing the division and even missing the playoffs entirely in the five-team (three in, two out) scramble that is the East, West and wild card.
Associated Press
Mets catcher Paul Lo Duca sits in disgust in the dugout after losing to the Cardinals.
