Mets Extend Losing Streak to Nine, Fall from NL East Lead

The New York Mets are struggling through a severe losing streak, dropping nine of their last ten games and seven consecutive matches, including a 3-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves and a 10-2 defeat to the Philadelphia Phillies. Starting pitching has been a notable weakness recently, with Paul Blackburn and David Peterson unable to pitch deep into games, while bullpen and defensive lapses have further compounded the team's issues. Despite some offensive sparks, such as Juan Soto's two-run homer against the Braves and a brief rally against the Phillies, the Mets have largely been stifled at the plate, scoring just seven runs over five games. Francisco Lindor acknowledged the adversity and emphasized the need for an organic team response to overcome the slump, while manager Carlos Mendoza and players like Pete Alonso highlighted the lack of clean baseball and execution across all facets. The losing streak has cost the Mets their first-place position in the National League East, with the Phillies overtaking them. The team's recent injuries and underperformance have raised concerns about their playoff aspirations as they seek to regain form and stability.