Mets Announcer Gary Cohen Sums Up Sunday's 'Horrific' Loss

The New York Mets' nightmare continued when blowing a three-run lead to suffer a disastrous 7-6 loss Sunday to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Mets manager Buck Showalter tried to protect a 6-3 advantage without using his three best relievers (David Robertson, Brooks Raley, Adam Ottavino) on back-to-back days. That decision backfired when surrendering four runs in the eighth inning.

After Craig Kimbrel secured the Phillies' win, SNY play-by-play announcer Gary Cohen harshly summed up Sunday's debacle.

"The Mets 42nd loss of the year is their most horrific. ... Buck Showalter tried to stay away from his best relievers, and the Mets paid the price," Cohen said, via Awful Announcing.

Josh Walker, a 28-year-old rookie with six career MLB appearances, entered the eighth inning. He got pulled when Philadelphia loaded the bases before recording an out.

Jeff Brigham induced a ground ball, but third baseman Brett Baty committed an error on a potential double play. Brigham then walked in one run and hit two straight batters with the bases loaded.

"Bullpen. Meltdown," Cohen declared.

After the game, Showalter said Ottavino and Raley were unavailable. Robertson could have pitched, but the manager preserved him for a ninth-inning save opportunity that never materialized. 

Robertson, a bright spot in an otherwise reeling unit badly missing star closer Edwin Diaz, pitched once this week.

The Mets, who expanded their MLB-high payroll after a 101-win season, dropped to 35-42 with their 15 loss of the month. Only three teams in the National League (Nationals, Cardinals, and Rockies) have a worse record.

Sunday's loss encapsulates a horrid stretch for a team that must quickly turn things around to stay in the playoff picture.