Mets Drop To .500 As Diamondbacks Sweep 3-Game Series

NEW YORK -- Braden Shipley threw seven shutout innings in his best start as a major leaguer and added an RBI single and a stolen base in the Arizona Diamondbacks' 9-0 win over the New York Mets on Thursday afternoon.

The Diamondbacks (48-66) swept the three-game series from the free-falling Mets (57-57), who dropped to .500 for the first time since April 20. New York, which is 10-19 dating to July 8, fell three games behind the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals in the race for the National League's second wild card.

Shipley (2-1) allowed three hits and one walk while striking out seven. He entered Thursday having permitted eight runs on 17 hits and 11 walks over 17 1/3 innings in his…