The lopsided Mets lost again to finish April with an MLB-worst 10-21 record

NEW YORK — In what was a prime chance to rebound from an ugly start to the season, New York MetsA nine-game homestand against three sub-.500 clubs only added to the nightmare for the majors’ second-most expensive roster.

The Mets fell Washington Nationals Finish the homestand 3-6 after dropping the three-game series 5-4 at Citi Field on Thursday. They have lost 17 of their past 20 games and will begin May with the worst record in baseball at 10-21.

“Not good enough,” manager Carlos Mendoza said. “Absolutely not a secret. It’s not going to happen. We’ve got to win the series. Period.”

New York was six outs away from winning the series when the setup man Thursday Luke Weaver He took over in the eighth inning to protect a one-run lead. Instead, he stuck to a change that CJ Abrams Blasted for a go ahead two run home run. After the swing proved the difference Ronnie Mauricio A strike out to end the game with a runner on second base drew cheers from the small crowd still on hand for the matinee.

“The freedom that we play with every day is getting a little bit suffocated,” Weaver said.

The Mets found some oxygen in the third inning when, after the starter Freddy Peralta Dig yourself a 3-0 hole with a throwing error, MJ MelendezHit third in the back lineup Juan Sotoswatted a game-tying three-run homer. Three innings later, Melendez laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Soto to third base. Soto then put New York ahead on Vientos’ double.

The performance continued a torrid stretch for Melendez, who is the Mets’ second-best hitter since being called up to the majors on April 15 with a 1.061 OPS in 33 plate appearances. But Mendoza chose to pinch-hit Austin SlaterA right-handed hitter, for Melendez, a left-handed hitter, with Soto on second again in the eighth inning, no outs and the left-handed Richard Lovelady on the mound

It was Slater’s second appearance since signing with the Mets on Sunday. He grounded out and before Vientos lined up Tyrone Taylor Strand Soto flew out at second.

“Slater is here to hurt lefties, obviously,” Mendoza said. “Knowing that we’ve seen Lovelady against rights as well. Just wanted to take a chance there with a right against her and try to do some damage.”

The loss was the only loss on the Mets’ record. They finish April Colorado Rockies and lost two of three games to the Nationals. They begin a three-game series against Freefalling in Anaheim in May Los Angeles AngelsHaving lost six games in a row, Friday knew the hole was getting much deeper.

“It’s hard for all of us,” Mendoza said. “We’re in this together. It’s not easy. But we have to keep going. There’s no other option. We have a responsibility and we have to turn this thing around.”