Mets concede 8 unanswered runs, Astros come back and tie the series

NEW YORK – The New York Mets were just a few outs away from a playoff spot.

With the St. Louis Cardinals losing to the Cincinnati Reds, the Mets needed a win to secure the third NL wild-card spot. They took an early lead of as many as five runs against the Houston Astros on Saturday at Citi Field, but the pitchers couldn’t hold on to the advantage. The Astros scored three runs in the eighth inning against left-hander Jake Diekman and right-hander Reed Garrett (7-3), came back and beat the Mets 9-6.

The loss ended a four-game winning streak for the Mets, who now moved back to .500 with a record of 40-40. Houston also finished .500 (41-41).

The Mets took a 5-1 lead over the Astros in the second inning after giving up five runs to left-hander Framber Valdez. Mark Vientos hit his 10th home run of the season in the third inning to give the Amazins a five-run lead. Valdez was so frustrated with the Mets that he threw his glove on the ground and his infielders tried to calm him down.

Valdez had six earned runs on 10 hits, three walks and five strikeouts in 4 2/3 innings. With Houston’s pitching depth currently so weakened by injuries, the Astros plan to cover all nine innings of Sunday’s game with their bullpen. They needed three innings after Valdez left, which doesn’t put them in a good position for the series finale.

However, the Mets’ bullpen is not in the best shape either, after Megill lasted only 5 1/3 innings. He took a big lead into the fourth inning, but the Astros ended up trailing by just two runs.

Megill allowed four earned runs on five hits, including a home run by Jake Meyers, allowed three walks and struck out six strikeouts. Right-hander Ty Adcock pitched 1 2/3 innings before left-hander Jake Diekman took over in the eighth inning. Diekman walked the first two hitters before getting two outs and handing the ball off to right-hander Reed Garrett.

With the bases loaded and two outs, Garrett threw a wild to Jose Altuve. Meyers scored safely, cutting the lead to 6-5. Garrett then fought with Alex Bregman and missed the count. Bregman appeared to have a strikeout, but instead he fouled catcher Francisco Alvarez and the at-bat continued.

His line drive to right center field brought two runs and the Mets fell behind 7-6.

Left-hander Danny Young retired Yordan Alvarez for the third out, but allowed two more runs in the ninth inning.

With closer Edwin Diaz suspended, the Mets are already playing with a shorthanded bullpen. They lost two top-tier relievers to elbow injuries for the season, left-hander Brooks Raley and right-hander Drew Smith, who received the devastating diagnosis earlier this week that he would need a second UCL surgery. Adam Ottavino, Dedniel Nuñez and Adrian Houser were unavailable after pitching so much the last two nights.

Given the Mets’ batting power, the pitchers have enjoyed tremendous run support with more than enough breathing room. But Megill didn’t give the Mets much margin for error, and the bullpen looks shaky without Diaz.

For the Mets, strengthening their pitching staff will be crucial to reaching and remaining in a playoff spot.

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