Mets extended their losing streak to six straight after falling  3-1 to the Houston Astros tonight, despite a strong start by Jon Niese and career home run number 200 for David Wright.

Niese has been consistent in his last couple of starts and has kept up the recent string of good pitching from Mets starters. Seven strong innings for Niese where he gave up only three runs. He gave up two runs in the second on back-to-back doubles that gave the Astros the early lead. He threw blanks until the seventh were he gave up a solo homer to shortstop, Tyler Greene.

Niese had trouble getting out of the inning, but a great diving play and strong throw from Ruben Tejada finally got the job done. Hakuna Tejada. Niese would get pulled after that with his team down by two. He walked two, and struck out five in his 108 pitch start. Despite his strong start, the offense continues to fall flat.

Rob Carson got one out in the eighth and then Frank Francisco took over to finish the inning with two strikeouts. Manny Acosta got the bid for the ninth and got two outs before Josh Edgin came in to finish the inning

Mets offense has been non-existent tonight was no different.  Just one run on four hits and ten men left on base, including a runner on first and third with no one out situation. Terrible.

David Wright had a huge and memorable night at the plate. He had two hits, including his 200th career home run, and a single that he tried stretching into a double and got nailed. He’s now batting .319 on the season.

Justin Turner got the start at second, giving Daniel Murphy the day off. He had one hit and a HBP. Call him, maybe?

Ruben Tejada, Mike Baxter, Ike Davis, Jordany Valdespin, and Josh Thole all had 0-fers tonight. Ike walked twice while Thole is hitless in last 16 at-bats.

Game Ball

David Wright of course who continues to rewrite the Mets record books.

Notes

The Mets haven’t scored more than two runs in seven games now. Wow.

The Mets have fallen behind the Phillies and are fourth in the league, just ahead of the Marlins.

John Maine, who is with the Yankees’ triple-A team, pitched against Buffalo tonight. He allowed two unearned runs on five hits, two walks, three wild pitches, a hits batsman, and struck out three in six innings of work against our Bisons. He threw 101 pitches as well.

Joe D’s Mets Limerick

The Mets have a catcher named Thole.

Whose at-bats are rather unholy.

He plays with such grit, but can’t buy a hit,

And the worst part’s his defense is lowly.

(Sorry, Joe D. doesn’t do haiku’s.)

Up Next

The Mets continue their series against the Astros tomorrow in Citi Field when RA Dickey (15-4, 2.82 ERA) takes on Fernando Abad (0-0, 3.86 ERA) at 1:10 pm ET. Former Met, Fernando Martinez is likely to be in the starting lineup for the Astros .