The Mets have a razor-thin margin for error coming down the stretch and the season could come down to one game. Of course, every game counts equally, but here are five games that might haunt the Mets if they’re on the outside looking in next month.
5. June 18: 4-3 loss to Braves
The Mets built an early 3-0 lead after four innings against the 21-45 Braves, but allowed a run in each of the next four innings to fall behind 4-3. The Mets, who were 0-8 with RISP that day, loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth inning, but Curtis Grandson struck out looking to end the game.
4. Aug. 1: 6-5 loss to Yankees (10 innings)
The Mets held a 5-3 lead heading into the 8th inning, and the Yankees had just a runner on first with two outs. Addison Reed allowed a single and wild pitch before Didi Gregorius tied the game with a single. The Yankees went ahead with a sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, but the Mets still had a chance to tie. Despite a leadoff double James Loney (who was bunted to third by the next batter), the Mets could not tie the game.
3. July 28: 2-1 loss to Rockies
After seven shutout innings by Jacob DeGrom, the Mets held a 1-0 lead entering the ninth inning. Despite being deemed unavailable before the game after blowing a save and throwing 26 pitches, Jeurys Familia was the call by Terry Collins to work just hours later in a day game. While facing six batters, Familia allowed two runs and recorded just one out.
2. June 1: 2-1 loss to White Sox (13 innings)
Where do we begin? The Mets drew 13 walks in this game but somehow scored just one run. Eventually, the Mets lost because opposing reliever Matt Albers scored after a leadoff double in the 13th inning.
1. July 27: 5-4 loss to Cardinals
This was the ultimate gut punch because of what happened beforehand. After trailing 3-1 since the third inning, Yoenis Cespedes gave the Mets the lead with a home run in the seventh inning. But in the ninth inning, Jeurys Familia blew his first regular season save in a year. The loss looms particularly large as the Mets battle the Cardinals for a Wild Card spot.
