Begin with the Mets having only reached the playoffs 11 times in their first 63 seasons. Rarer still, they are trying this year to make the postseason in consecutive seasons for the third time.

The Mets lost against the Seattle Mariners on Friday night, dropping them to six games back in the National League East.

But that lead did not last long for the Mariners, with the Mets tying the score at 1-1 after New York star shortstop Francisco Lindor launched a solo homer in the bottom of the first inning. Lindor got ahead of Mariners starter Luis Castillo right away with three straight balls before getting a strike and fouling a pitch for a 3-2 count.

There are many reasons as to why the Mets have collapsed, but their starting rotation is undoubtedly the biggest one. The Mets have struggled mightily to get any sort of length out of a starter not named David Peterson, and even Peterson failed to complete four innings his last time out and blew a 6-0 Met lead.

Sushi the pit bull poses for photos outside of each Mets game. Many fans shake her hand and take a photo. Others have protested instead.

In addition to Alonso and Baty, Francisco Alvarez added two of his own and Brandon Nimmo hit the other home run. The Mets record for home runs in a game remains eight. This article was originally published on www.si.com as Mets Hit So Many Home Runs vs. Braves They Ran Out of Fireworks at Citi Field.

David Peterson and Reed Garrett combined to give up nine runs in the fourth inning as the Mets fell flat in a 11-6 loss to the Braves on Wednesday.