Mets Blow Another Late Lead in Key Game Against Padres

New York Mets drop third straight game after bullpen implodes

Team will face an uphill battle to reach playoffs

The New York Mets had another late-inning meltdown on Saturday, blowing a three-run lead in the ninth inning and losing 5-4 to the San Diego Padres. The loss was the Mets' third straight and dropped them to 20-25 on the season.

The Mets took a 4-1 lead into the ninth inning, but the Padres rallied against closer Edwin Diaz. Manny Machado hit a two-run single to make it 4-3, and then Trent Grisham tied the game with a sacrifice fly. With the bases loaded and two outs, Jorge Alfaro hit a single to give the Padres the walk-off win.

The loss was a bitter blow for the Mets, who are now 8.5 games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves in the NL East. With just 37 games remaining in the regular season, the Mets will need to start winning soon if they want to have any chance of reaching the playoffs.

"It's going to be tough, but we're not going to give up," Mets manager Luis Rojas said. "We're going to keep fighting until the end."

The Mets have been one of the most disappointing teams in baseball this season. After winning 101 games last year, they were expected to be one of the favorites in the NL East. However, they have struggled all year long, and their bullpen has been a major problem.

The Mets bullpen has allowed 29 earned runs in 22 innings this season, the highest ERA in the Major Leagues. Diaz, who was signed to a five-year, $102 million contract in the offseason, has been particularly disappointing.

"We need to get better," Rojas said. "We need to find a way to stop giving up runs in big situations."

The Mets will have a chance to get back on track on Sunday when they face the Padres in the final game of their series. Taijuan Walker will start for the Mets, while Mike Clevinger will start for the Padres.