When the Mets’ clubhouse door swung open Thursday night, Francisco Lindor was huddled with a handful of players, deep in conversation. A few others sat slumped in their chairs. A few minutes earlier, manager Carlos Mendoza spoke to the media in more subdued tones, a noticeable switch from the positive energy he usually tries to convey.

Of all the defeats, and there have been way too many for the Mets over the past two months, Thursday’s 4-3 loss to Atlanta felt different, and not just because the crowd of 41,782 filled Citi Field with loud boos.

A night earlier, Mendoza & Co. foundered through a rain-delayed slop-fest that was all kinds of ugly, blowing a 6-0 lead en route to getting pantsed, 11-6.

And yet, the manner in which the Mets dropped Thursday’s series finale somehow stung

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