Mets blanked by Brewers as MLB playoff path gets trickier

MILWAUKEE — So much for rising up and forcibly claiming a National League wild-card berth.

The opportunity for October baseball is still there for the Mets, but what could have been a statement weekend and relatively easy path to the playoffs has turned into a stressful slog.

Saturday night the Mets went meekly in a third straight game, losing 6-0 to the Brewers at American Family Field and moved closer to needing a return to Atlanta for a Monday makeup doubleheader.

The Mets managed only two hits and bear little resemblance to the team that won three of four games against the Phillies at Citi Field to close the last homestand.

In their three games since the Mets have scored one, four and zero runs.

Atlanta, Arizona and the Mets all began the night tied for the two remaining NL wild-card spots.

Atlanta moved one game ahead with a walkoff victory against Kansas City and Arizona was still playing as the Mets concluded their latest stinker, in which they struck out 11 times against five pitchers.

The Mets own a tiebreaker with Arizona based on winning the season series.