Mets blow five-run lead as bullpen crumbles in loss to Astros

If Friday’s win and postgame concert provided an unmistakable nightclub vibe, the Mets’ matinee follow-up was shaping up to be more akin to a summertime block party. But the rollicking run and good times were at least temporarily interrupted Saturday, as the Mets’ flushed a five-run lead — and a chance to take over the third wild-card position in the National League — with a 9-6 giveaway loss to the Astros. Entrusted a 6-4 advantage in the eighth inning — which was 6-1 earlier in the game — relievers Jake Diekman and Reed Garrett combined to walk four and allow three runs, including Alex Bregman’s go-ahead two-run single to right with two outs. It marked only the Mets’ fifth loss in their past 21 games, when another win would have vaulted them over the Cardinals into a playoff position.It leaves them 40-40 entering the 81-game midpoint of the regular season in Sunday’s series finale. Referring to the team’s recent hot streak, Mets owner Steve Cohen had posted on X before the game that “there is something special happening” at Citi Field. “The players have come together and are playing for each other.

The atmosphere is electric,” he added.“Let’s keep this going!” In late May, with the Mets in the throes of what would turn out to be a 24-35 start, Cohen had posted on X about the “mind-boggling” and “disheartening” stretch that threatened to torpedo the team’s season before it was two months old. Team president David Stearns even had acknowledged Friday that he can envision adding pieces at the July 30 trade deadline rather than what previously looked like it would be a second straight summer of selling. “We’ve given ourselves an opportunity, and we need to continue to run with it,” Stearns said before the series opener.

“I think Steve has shown repeatedly that he is committed to investing the resources in the team that we need to compete.And certainly I think we’ll continue to do so.” Cohen fully ex...