The New York Mets just can't catch a break , absorbing their seventh straight defeat Friday night in an 8-3 loss to the Texas Rangers at Citi Field. The defeat has shed light on a troubling trend that has characterized the team’s September collapse, an imploding pitching staff that cannot keep opponents off the board.

The Mets have now allowed eight or more runs in 20 games this season, including eight times since August 13, according to USA Today reporter Bob Nightengale. During their current seven-game skid, New York’s staff owns an alarming 6.95 ERA , a figure that has undone any chance of maintaining their once-promising playoff positioning. The loss was also the third separate seven-game losing streak of this season, the first time the Mets have done so in a single season since

See Full Page