NEW YORK -- Before Friday night's series opener against the Dodgers at Citi Field, Mets general manager Sandy Alderson said that New York could be sellers at the July 31 non-waiver Trade Deadline unless there was "improvement in our win-loss record almost immediately." That improvement would have to wait, as the Mets lost to Los Angeles, 5-2, to fall to a season-worst 11 games under .500 at 31-42.
Zack Wheeler threw an impressive game through 5 1/3 innings, allowing three hits, striking out six and giving up zero runs. But his night took a turn when Cody Bellinger got hold of an 0-2 fastball and drilled a grand slam to the second deck in right field.