Adam Conley slowed the Mets pursuit of a National League East title with a career-high seven innings, and the streaking Miami Marlins handed New York a 6-0 loss Wednesday night.
Facing a makeshift lineup of all right-handers, Conley (4-1) had the best start of his young career in front of his wife and infant daughter. He allowed three hits and struck out six as Miami beat New York for a second straight night to secure its fifth straight series win — matching a franchise record set in 2003 for most consecutive series won in one season, according to STATS.
Entering with an 8 1-2 game lead over Washington in the division, manager Terry Collins chose to rest left-handed hitters Daniel Murphy, Curtis Granderson, Michael Conforto and Lucas Duda against Conley, a 25-year-old lefty. With reserve outfielder Juan Lagares leading off, the Mets were shut out for the first time since July 23, and they lost consecutive games for first time since losing to Boston on Aug. 28-29.
Dee Gordon went 2 for 5 with a ninth-inning RBI to finish the season series against the Mets hitting .427 (35 for 82).
The Mets have a day off before rookie Steven Matz pitches the opener of the three-game Subway Series against the Yankees at Citi Field on Friday night.
All was quiet a night after Collins vowed the Mets will "answer in our own due time" to star Yoenis Cespedes' getting hit by a pitch by Tom Koehler in the first inning of a 9-3 loss that ended an eight game winning streak.
Martin Prado and J.T. Realmuto homered off Bartolo Colon, who lost for the first time since Aug. 9.
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Colon (14-12) was lifted with two outs in the sixth after walking Pablo Ozuna, the first free pass he allowed to a Miami batter in 55 innings dating to last season.
Justin Bour had a sacrifice fly off Colon in the sixth and a long homer against Tyler Clippard in the eighth that made it 4-0.
Colon allowed three runs and seven hits in 5 2-3 innings.
TRAINER'S ROOM
Marlins: OF Giancarlo Stanton (broken left wrist) saw a hand specialist and manager Dan Jennings said all was fine, and it was a matter of when Stanton feels the hand and wrist are strong enough. Jennings said Stanton might test it in a simulated game before returning to the Marlins, which should come before the end of the season.
Mets: RHP Carlos Torres (strained left calf) was scheduled for a bullpen session that he would throw at 50 percent. Collins said Torres is still a "few days off from pitching in a game." ... Rookie LHP Dario Alvarez (left groin strain) had an MRI a day after he was injured Tuesday night in the ninth inning. Results were not yet available. Collins said, "he's not moving very good."
UP NEXT
Marlins: RHP Jarred Cosart (1-4) starts the opener of a series at Washington. He's given up one run in 9 2-3 innings over his last two starts.
Mets: After a day off, Matz (3-0) will make his fifth career major league start in the opener of the much anticipated Subway Series. Collins isn't worried about the playoff-like atmosphere the lefty from Long Island will experience. "I don't think he's going to be intimidated by anybody," he said.
