The Mets have lost four of their last five games. The losing pitcher in each one has been a reliever.
Welcome to Reality Check 101: If the Mets are going to hold off the Nationals and win the NL East, they are going to have to be able to depend on their bullpen. It's a unit that has overachieved for most of the season, but has shown serious signs of fraying in the last week.
In the last five games, Mets relievers have allowed 15 runs (13 earned) in 181/3 innings against the Pirates and Orioles. Bobby Parnell suffered two of the defeats and then was told by the team to go on the disabled list with what was termed right shoulder tendinitis.