Sunday's 7-1 loss at the Philadelphia Phillies was the Mets' eighth defeat in the past nine games. The finale of New York's third straight series loss saw left-hander David Peterson last four innings, done in by a five-run fourth where the Phillies (47-31) batted around, while the Mets (46-32) went scoreless through seven.
The combination leaves New York a game behind Philadelphia in the National League East Division entering this week's four-game series against the Atlanta Braves, which starts with Monday's 7:10 p.m. opener at Citi Field, and manager Carlos Mendoza aware of the strain on his bullpen.
"Not going to say concerned, but we lost two quickly," he said when asked about being more concerned about the pitching than the lineup. "… I feel like the concern now is more like the state of the bullpen and how we've used those guys.
"Obviously, we've been shuffling a lot of guys. But we've got to find a way, we've got to find a way. We've got some really good arms in this room, and they'll get back on track and they will get us back on track here."
While right-hander Griffin Canning gave the Mets five innings in Saturday's 11-4 win, which snapped New York's season-high seven-game skid, Peterson's seven-inning outing last Tuesday at the Braves was the staff's last start of five frames or more.
Peterson's season-low four-inning start Sunday came at a time where the Mets, who are in the throes of a 13-game stretch without a day off from June 17-29, could have used the length.
"I wouldn't say surprised," Peterson (5-3, 2.98 ERA), who allowed five runs on six hits (two homers) while striking out four and walking three, said when asked if he was surprised about not getting past the fourth inning.
"It's part of the game. Obviously not happy with it. But I'll go back and watch it and see what I did well and see what we need to work on, and we'll move on to the next one."
Up next, the Mets get a rematch with Atlanta (35-41) after this past week's three-game sweep.
The Braves enter with two defeats in their past three games after they lost this weekend's series at the Miami Marlins.
"I think it's important to remain positive, to remain united," catcher Luis Torrens said through an interpreter. "We know that situations like this are going to happen, but I think, at the same time, it's important to continue to go out there. We know what we're capable of doing … winning games how we're trying to."
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