Mets Flop to Braves

The Mets played a listless game Tuesday night at Citi Field, resulting in a listless loss to the Braves.

The Mets actually jumped out to the lead in the first when David Wright hit a solo homer to make it 1-0.

But Jace Peterson led off the fifth with a homer off of Logan Verrett, starting for the resting Jacob deGrom, to tie the game. And then Hector Olivera connected with a three-run shot to extend the lead to 4-1.

Verrett was done after the inning. He allowed the four runs on five hits, with three strikeouts and a walk.

Meantime rookie Matt Wisler baffled the Mets all night. He was excellent through seven, striking out eight Mets and allowing just five hits. But he was removed from the game after walking Curtis Granderson to lead off the eighth. Wright followed with a single. Daniel Murphy popped up to short for the first out. Yoenis Cespedes walked to load the bases. With a lefty pitcher in, Terry Collins pinch hit Michael Cuddyer for Lucas Duda, once again showing little confidence in Duda. Fredi Gonzalez brought in a righty to face him. Cuddyer flew out to center, with Granderson tagging up to make it a 4-2 game. Wilmer Flores grounded out to end the inning; the Mets blowing a chance to get back into the game.

Tyler Clippard allowed two runs in the ninth to put the game out of reach.

Mets lose 6-2. But the good news is the Nationals also lost, so the magic number to clinch the NL East drops to six.