Another disappointing result was not a total loss for the Mets: Even though they took a step backward by losing, 6-2, to the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday night, the Mets still stumbled closer to their first National League East title since 2006 because the Washington Nationals also lost, 4-1, to the Baltimore Orioles.
The Nationals’ latest wasted opportunity dropped the Mets’ magic number to clinch the division to six, with only 11 games left on their schedule.
The Mets have lost five of their last seven games, allowing the Nationals to creep to within six and a half games of them, but Washington is running out of time.