The Mets failed to score more than three runs for a fourth straight game in a 7-3 loss to the Orioles on Saturday night, their fifth consecutive defeat.
And the lack of production was noted by Buck Showalter after his team struck out 11 times.
“We had a lot of at-bats that weren’t as competitive as they normally are,’’ Showalter said.
Jeff McNeil, one of many Mets having a miserable season, drove in all three runs.
The one night of success at the plate was not enough to erase what has been a mostly tough season for McNeil.
“I’m trying to get back to who I am,” he said. “Get singles and get on base. It’s been a really frustrating year for me. It’s not where I want to be, not where the team wants to be.”
He attributed some of the struggles of late to the impact of the recent fire sale.
“I know it’s been a tough week, but we’ve got to go out and learn and play better,’’ McNeil said. “We’re a bunch of professionals here and we come to play every day, but it is tough losing some of your best players. It hurts. It’s a situation I’ve never been in: selling. It’s tough.”
Brett Baty went 0-for-3 with a walk and is in an 0-for-17 funk.
The rookie entered the night with an OPS of just .571 since May 6. Baty opened the season with a .938 OPS through his first 22 games, but his strikeouts have jumped and his production has dropped.
“I’m just trying to go up there and keep it simple,’’ Baty said. “I know I’ve made some contributions this season and I want to get back to that.”
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Some of his numbers have provided encouragement, as his hard-hit percentage of 44.5 is higher than Francisco Alvarez’s 43.3, but his overall stats are not pretty.
An NL scout who has followed Baty throughout the season said he wasn’t sure how the Mets’ shift from high expectations to a focus on the future would impact a young player like Baty.
“These guys like Baty, [Mark] Vientos and probably some other guys they bring up should be able to play a little more free without the spotlight on them quite as much, but there can be a challenge in getting used to what they’re doing now,’’ the scout said. “They’ve got nothing to lose now.”
The musical chairs in the Mets’ bullpen continued Saturday.
Right-handers John Curtiss and Reed Garrett were both optioned to Triple-A Syracuse after pitching on Friday to make room for Tylor Megill, who started Saturday, as well as a fresh arm in the pen, righty Jimmy Yacabonis.
Megill and Yacabonis were both brought up from Syracuse pregame.
The machinations likely will continue as long as the Mets fail to get length out of their starters.
“You don’t want to put somebody in harm’s way,’’ Showalter said of the relievers.
David Peterson, who pitched just three innings on Friday due to a pitch count in his first start after coming back from a stint in the pen, should be able to go longer in his next outing.
The Mets will need to get more innings, however, from the likes of their Sunday starter, Jose Quintana.
Tim Locastro, who has been sidelined by a sprained thumb, had his rehab assignment transferred to Low-A St. Lucie.
