MILWAUKEE (AP) — New York Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns acknowledged feeling frustrated by the team’s recent hitting struggles but expressed confidence the slump won’t last long.

The Mets had lost eight of nine to fall 2 1/2 games behind first-place Philadelphia in the NL East as they began a three-game series with the NL Central-leading Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night. New York arrived in Milwaukee after getting swept at home by Cleveland, as the team totaled five hits while losing 3-2 and 4-1 in the final two games of that series.

In the finale Wednesday, the Mets went hitless until the ninth inning against Gavin Williams.

“Clearly everyone’s frustrated,” Stearns said before Friday’s game. “Players are frustrated. At times, I’ve been frustrated. But I belie

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