Add The New York Post on Google MIAMI — The Mets evidently want to leave zero doubt over the identity of the NL East’s worst team.
They held that distinction by only a half-game over the Marlins as they arrived at loanDepot park on Saturday and by early evening had created a cushion.
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Instead of simply not hitting, they added a second straight lackluster performance from their ace in a 4-1 loss to Miami.
It was the fourth loss in five games for the Mets, who fell eight games below .500.
The Mets had only one hit until pinch-hitter Tyrone Taylor doubled with two outs in the ninth.
Mark Vientos’ ensuing single brought in their only run.
Max Meyer dominated the Mets, allowing only one hit over seven shutout innings.
Vientos’ grounder to right field against a shifted infield leading off the second was that only hit.
Bo Bichette strikes out swinging during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, May 23, 2026, in Miami. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky Meyer struck out eight and walked three.
A night earlier, the Mets managed only three hits in a 2-1 loss to the Marlins.
And Saturday’s loss guaranteed the Mets of a losing road trip (they split four games in Washington this week).
Freddy Peralta, who struggled in his outing against the Yankees last Sunday, wasn’t much better on this day.
The right-hander allowed four earned runs on eight hits over seven innings with nine strikeouts and two walks.
Peralta surrendered two homers, both to Liam Hicks.
Juan Soto sits in the dugout during the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Miami Marlins, Saturday, May 23, 2026. AP Photo/Lynne Sladky Owen Caissie stroked a two-run double in the second that put the Mets in a 2-0 hole.
Peralta walked Jakob Marsee with one out in the inning and got stung, as Connor Norby singled and Caissie followed with the double.
Peralta escaped further harm by retiring the next two batters.
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Hicks homered in the third to extend the Mets’ deficit to 3-0.
It was the third straight appearance in which Peralta surrendered a homer.
Otto Lopez followed the blast with a double, but Peralta got two outs to end the frame.
Peralta dodged trouble in the fourth when Graham Pauley was thrown out at the plate attempting to score on Xavier Edwards’ grounder off Vientos’ glove.
Pauley’s two-out single and a walk to Joe Mack created peril for Peralta.
Hicks’ second homer of the game, leading off the bottom of the fifth, sank the Mets into a 4-0 hole.
The multihomer game was the first of Hicks’ career.
Vientos got hit by a pitch in the seventh to snap a string of 10 straight batters retired by Meyer, but A.J. Ewing struck out and Marcus Semien hit a grounder that became an inning-ending fielder’s choice.
Anthony Bender struck out the side in the eighth and remained in the game to retire Bo Bichette leading off the ninth before lefty Andrew Nardi recorded the final two outs.
