PHOENIX — There are many reasons the Mets have plodded through the past three weeks. They have endured more injuries. Their offense has remained inadequate. Their pitching has not been sharp, especially at the back end of the rotation.
Logan Verrett struggled as the fifth starter, so he was replaced by Jon Niese, whom the Mets reacquired in an Aug. 1 trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates.
In his first start with the Mets this season, Niese allowed four runs and was pulled before he could complete five innings Wednesday night, taking the loss in a 13-5 rout by the lowly Arizona Diamondbacks.