NEW YORK -- For the first time this season, the Mets are no longer in control of their own playoff destiny.

Their downward spiral apparently knows no bottom. Edwin Díaz allowed a go-ahead single in the ninth inning Saturday at Citi Field, sending the Mets to their eighth consecutive loss. That 3-2 defeat to the Rangers moved them into a virtual tie with the Giants , who play later Saturday but are a game ahead of them in the loss column. The Reds, who also play later Saturday, are one game behind the Mets.

The latest loss occurred despite six scoreless innings from rookie starter Brandon Sproat, who threw just 70 pitches. Despite the low pitch count, manager Carlos Mendoza removed Sproat and trusted his relievers to record nine outs without issue.

They could not. Tyler Rogers and Dí

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