Certainly, some of those frowns turned upside down when the Padres, who have nothing to play for, shut out the Diamondbacks 5-0 about an hour after the Mets’ loss. This kept the Mets lead over the Diamondbacks at one game, setting up a scenario in which New York can secure a playoff spot as soon as Sunday.

Joey Ortiz drove in three runs for Milwaukee and the New York Mets mustered just two hits all night as their playoff hopes suffered another blow with a 4-0 loss to the Brewers.

So much for rising up and forcibly claiming a National League wild-card berth. The opportunity for October baseball is still there for the Mets, but what could have been a statement weekend and relatively easy path to the playoffs has turned into a stressful slog.