Helsley Blows Lead as Mets Drop Series to Braves

The losses during these last few weeks are like snowflakes – each one a little different. A runner thrown out at the plate to end the game. A near no-hitter. A walk-off homer in Milwaukee and a walk-off single in San Diego. A nine-run fourth inning.

Ryan Helsley gave up back-to-back RBI doubles to Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies in the eighth inning Thursday, and the Braves beat the Mets 4-3 at Citi Field. The Mets have lost 13 of 15, and their lead over the Cincinnati Reds for the last Wild Card spot is down to 1/2 a game. The Reds were off Thursday.

The Mets (64-57) scored twice in the sixth to take a 3-2 lead when Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto each stole a base and scored. Lindor singled with one out, stole second, and took third when the throw went into the outfield. He scored on a Brandon Nimmo sacrifice fly.

Soto walked, stole second and scored on a Pete Alonso RBI single. Soto’s steal was the 36th consecutive successful attempt for the Mets, a franchise record.

Kodai Senga was pulled with two outs in the fifth after giving up a Harris single that put runners at the corners with the game tied at 1-1. Albies greeted Tyler Rogers with an RBI single. The outing was Senga’s longest in the six starts since returning from a hamstring injury. He gave up two runs on five hits, struck out seven and walked one.

Lindor opened the scoring with a 409-foot solo shot to center in the third. Albies tied the game at 1-1 with a solo homer (10) in the fourth. Senga has given up 10 homers this season, six in the 26 innings pitched since his return. He gave up four homers in 73 2/3 innings pitched before he got hurt.

Stat of the Game

Joe DiMaggio hit in 56 straight games. The Mets have gone 56 games without a starter other than David Peterson lasting at least six innings, the longest streak since at least 1901.

Player of the Game

Lindor was 3-for-4 with a home run (22), a stolen base (19) and two runs scored.

On Deck

Sean Manaea (1-1, 4.33 ERA) faces Luis Castillo (8-6, 3.19 ERA) Friday as the Mariners (67-55) come to Citi Field. Manaea is 8-8 with a 3.88 ERA in 102 innings pitched vs. Seattle in his career. Castillo is 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA in 30 1/3 innings pitched vs. the Mets. Game time is 7:10 p.m., and it will air on SNY and MLB Network.

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