Add The New York Post on Google Just a week ago, the Mets were playing reasonably well and could at least dream about a Red Sox-like surge to vault them into postseason contention.
Since then, the faintest of pulses has become completely undetectable.
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Reverting to the team that found different ways to lose in the season’s first half, the Mets on Friday dropped their third straight and fourth in five games, 3-1 to the Astros at Citi Field.
The losing streak is the Mets’ longest since Aug. 2 — one day before president of baseball operations David Stearns finished his trade-deadline roster overhaul.
Offensively, the Mets were muted by Hunter Brown, who surrendered one earned run on five hits with 10 strikeouts over 6 ⅔ innings.
The Mets went hitless against Houston’s bullpen.
On the other side, Christian Scott was on the verge of a superb outing into the sixth. But the right-hander lost the strike zone in that inning, walking three batters, all of whom scored as inherited runners for lefty Nate Lavender.
New York Mets center fielder A.J. Ewing reacts after striking out against the Houston Astros in the third inning at Citi Field on Aug. 28, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST Scott’s night followed clunkers in consecutive games by Robert Stock and Sean Manaea. Stock allowed seven earned runs over four innings in a loss to the Brewers.
The lefty Manaea surrendered six earned runs over 5 ⅔ innings a night later.
Scott’s final line included five walks and one hit allowed over 5 ⅓ innings. All three runs against him were earned. It followed Scott’s start against the White Sox last weekend in which he walked four batters over 4 ⅔ innings and allowed four earned runs.
Carson Benge smashed an RBI double against Hunter Brown in the fourth that produced the game’s initial run. Francisco Lindor singled leading off for the Mets’ first hit before Benge delivered a shot off the fence in right-center for his 54th RBI this season.
New York Mets pitcher Christian Scott hands the ball to manager Andy Green in the sixth inning. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST MEts merch shop 47 Brand logo cap 1986 eco tote bag Mets fiber beach towel 14-ounce sculpted relief mug Customizable jersey Color block logo backpack New York Post receives revenue from affiliate and advertising partnerships for sharing this content and when you make a purchase. Scott loaded the bases by walking Yordan Alvarez, Isaac Peredes and Jose Altuve in the sixth and was removed with one out. Lavender allowed a single to Daulton Varsho that brought in two runs. Yainer Diaz’s two-out bloop RBI single placed the Mets in a 3-1 hole.
Jonathan Pintaro escaped the seventh with help from Bo Bichette’s glove. Bichette lunged to his right to snag Parades’ one-hop shot, turning it into an inning-ending double play. Bichette was back in the starting lineup after missing Thursday’s game following a foul ball off his left foot.
