Zack Wheeler Crashes, Mets Lose

Zack Wheeler followed his best career outing — a complete game shutout — with the worst start of his career Wednesday night as the Mets settled for a split of their two-game series with the A’s.

Wheeler was terrible from the start. He allowed a two-run home run to Brandon Moss in the first inning to give the A’s an early 2-0 lead.

Things got worse in the second. Wheeler started the inning by allowing a walk and a single. With one out a single by Coco Crisp plated one run. Another walk loaded the bases and then Yoenis Cespedes cleared them with a double, and just like that the A’s led 6-0.

And that was all for Zack Wheeler. His ugly pitching line: two innings pitched, six runs allowed on six hits and two walks. He did strike out four batters, though.

Dana Eveland allowed a solo home run to Crisp in the fourth to extend the lead to 7-0. That was the only hit and run Eveland allowed in three fine innings of work.

The A’s added a run in the sixth and the Mets finally got on the board in the seventh. With two on pinch hitter Lucas Duda hit a bomb to right-center. His 11th home run of the season made it an 8-3 game.

With two outs in the eighth Curtis Granderson doubled and then Chris Young homered to cut the A’s lead to 8-5. It was Young’s third home run in the two games against his former team.

But that was as close as the Mets could get as they lose by that 8-5 score.