The Mets got a very solid outing from starter Zack Wheeler, who struck out seven and allowed only one run on two hits. The bats were silent for most of the game, as it took them until the ninth inning for a non-pitcher to record a hit.

A two-run home run by Todd Frazier and a string of Mets hits in the ninth gave them a 3-1 lead, but closer Edwin Diaz allowed a two-run homer to Maikel Franco and a walkoff three-run homer to Jean Segura, as the Mets suffered another devastating loss.

It was the Mets’ fifth straight loss, despite having multiple-run leads in all five games. They fell to a season-worst 37-45, 11.5 games back of the first-place Braves.

Offense

The Mets’ bats started off slow against Aaron Nola, as Jeff McNeil, Pete Alonso, and Michael Conforto struck out in order in the first inning against Nola’s nasty curveball.

The Mets went down one-two-three again in the second, with Wilson Ramos striking out on a changeup to end the frame.

After Amed Rosario led off the third inning by reaching on an error and advancing to second, the next two Mets struck out. McNeil was then hit on the foot by a pitch, but Alonso popped out to end the threat.

The next six Mets all made outs, until the pitcher Wheeler recorded the first Met hit to lead off the sixth. Wheeler continued his solid year at the plate, with the hit raising his average to .314. With two outs, Conforto walked, but Frazier hit a hard grounder that Segura made a nice play on.

The Mets went down one-two-three again in the seventh, with Rosario and Dominic Smith striking out as the Mets were only able to collect one hit off Nola in seven innings, striking out ten times. And that lone hit was by the pitcher.

The Mets’ bats continued to struggle even after Nola came out, as they went down one-two-three against reliever Juan Nicasio.

The Mets finally recorded a hit by a non-pitcher with one out in the ninth, as Conforto lined one into right off Hector Neris and had to settle for a single. Then Frazier, who had been 0 for his last 15, lifted one to left that carried into the seats for a two-run homer that put the Mets on top 2-1.

The Mets were not done yet, as Smith lined a single to right and Ramos followed him up with another single, allowing Smith to advance to third. Smith came in on a soft grounder, adding an insurance run to the Mets’ newfound lead.

Pitching

After Wheeler, whose fastball was sitting 96-97 early on, gave up a leadoff single to Scott Kingery, he induced a ground ball to McNeil, who was playing second base today. McNeil threw to Rosario to get the force, but they were unable to turn the double play.

Wheeler then induced another ground ball from Bryce Harper to Alonso, and it initially looked as though the Mets did turn a double play, but it was overruled that Harper was safe at first. In spite of the two missed double play opportunities, Wheeler struck out Rhys Hoskins with a 97 mph fastball to end the inning.

Wheeler then came out and pitched a perfect second inning, dialing his fastball up to 99.

The third inning did not start off so well for Zack, as he walked weak-hitting catcher Andrew Knapp. The pitcher Nola then reached on a fielding error by Alonso, but Wheeler settled down to retire the next three, winning an eight-pitch battle with Harper to strike him out.

Just as Knapp did to lead off the third, Hoskins drew a 10-pitch walk to lead off the fourth, as the Phillies continued to foul off a ton of balls against Wheeler. Again, Wheeler worked it around it though, inducing a force out in between two popups to Frazier.

After a perfect fifth inning, Wheeler finally cracked in the sixth, allowing a one-out solo home run to Harper, his 14th of the year and the 15th home run of the year off Wheeler, tying a career worst. Wheeler responded to the home run with strikeouts of Hoskins and Jay Bruce, but not before the Phillies were able to take a 1-0 lead on Harper’s homer.

Brooks Pounders relieved Wheeler after 107 pitches in seven strong innings. Things started off rough for Pounders, who hit Cesar Hernandez and allowed a single to Maikel Franco. Knapp bunted the runners over, but Pounders was able to find his way out of trouble, escaping the jam with no damage done.

Chris Flexen came in to pitch the ninth, pitching a hitless inning with only a walk to Hoskins. Since moving to the bullpen, Flexen has allowed just one earned run on seven innings, with nine strikeouts and only two hits allowed.

Diaz, who has been used sparingly as of late, came in and walked the first hitter to immediately bring the tying run to the plate. Franco immediately made him pay, smashing a two-run homer that tied the game, 3-3.

After a strikeout of J.T. Realmuto, Diaz lost a nine-pitch battle with pinch-hitter Sean Rodriguez, issuing his second walk of the inning.

Kingery then hit a hard grounder that ate up Frazier and went into left field for a base hit. Rodriguez probably could have advanced to third, but he didn’t see the ball so the Mets got a break as Rodriguez had to remain at second.

However, that became a moot point as Segura blasted a three-run homer to walk it off, and the Mets suffered yet another heartbreaking loss due largely in part to another bullpen collapse.

On Deck

The Mets will travel back to New York to start a three-game series against the Braves on Friday. Ace Jacob deGrom (4-6, 3.25 ERA) will take the mound against rookie standout Mike Soroka (8-1, 2.07 ERA).

The game will be televised by SNY and MLBN and broadcast on WCBS 880 and ESPN-1050.