Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

The New York Mets with Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez looked a lot like the Mets without Francisco Lindor and Javier Baez.

Tuesday marked the first time the Mets were able to put the two best friends on the field together in blue and orange. Since Baez’s acquisition, Lindor has remained on the shelf with an oblique injury. The highly anticipated return of the duo resulted in an 8-0 loss to the San Francisco Giants.

Lindor and Baez played shortstop and second base, respectively. The same positions they played for Puerto Rico in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. The two hit back-to-back in the lineup at three and four. The Mets hoped it would be like Puerto Rico’s game against Mexico where Lindor homered twice and Baez homered once, combining to drive in six of Puerto Rico’s nine runs. Instead, the two went 0-for-7 with a strikeout and walk.

It’s not an encouraging start as each work themselves back from injury. But there’s little time to get into shape with 37 games left. Both opted not to go on rehab assignments.

Baez and Lindor is easily the best defensive middle infield since the days of Edgardo Alfonzo and Rey Ordonez 20 years ago. But the two that have hit like Alfonzo all their careers are hitting like Ordonez in their Mets uniforms.

“Having the two of them out there in the field and in the lineup is going to be great for us offensively and defensively as a team,” manager Luis Rojas said pregame Tuesday.

Rojas also said the Mets had a good feeling heading into the eventual shutout performance.

New York’s schedule hasn’t been forgiving recently but with Sammy Long on the mound for San Francisco, the Mets had to have liked their chances. Long, a rookie, entered with an ERA nearing six. Long ended up with the best outing of his young career at five and one-third innings, three hits, and four strikeouts. Instead of turning double plays themselves, the Mets hit into their own.

The current approach at the plate isn’t working, Rojas acknowledged post-game. New York has struggled to hit the fastball and at times appears they’re set to swing before the pitch is delivered. It was never more evident after Baez completed his swing before the ball crossed home plate.

Almost unbelievably he walked this at-bat.

“It’s been time to go. We got to find a way to continue to compete and to grind and not make any excuses,” Lindor said. “We’ve got to go out there and battle because it’s what we get paid for.”

“I would love to say we have the answers of why we’re struggling and why I’m struggling but I don’t,” Lindor followed up.

Lindor continued on saying how hard the team is working. A line that’s been repeated countlessly by players and coaches.

Hard work doesn’t always guarantee results. The Mets laid a goose egg after a day off and after a game where they scored seven runs and said it gave them some momentum.

New York needs to change something at the plate. They finally have all the players they want in the lineup and more with the addition of Baez and the return of Lindor.

They’ll have two more games against the Giants to figure it out before 15 games against Washington and Miami. If the Mets can’t figure it out against those teams, then say goodbye to October baseball.