Mets' season reaches new low in historically bad loss as 'comedy show' continues

Furthermore, as USA Today's Bob Nightengale noted, the Mets are now 200-2 when scoring 12 runs and 325-5 when scoring 11 or more in franchise history, further highlighting the historical significance of their latest defeat.

Even more frustrating for the Mets, the start of the game could not have gone any better after a trio of errors from the Royals paved the way for a Little League homer in the opening inning.

Right fielder Carson Benge singled on a tapper from Royals starter Seth Lugo, but thanks to poor throws from Lugo, first baseman Jac Caglianone and third baseman Nick Loftin, the Mets were gifted three runs in the ordeal and took a 3-0 lead.

However, right fielder Tyler Torbert tied the MLB record with a hit in 12 straight at-bats and center fielder Lane Thomas had a three-hit night, capped by a two-run double in a seven-run seventh inning that completely changed the complexion of the game.

The Mets tacked on three more runs of their own, but the 12 consecutive runs allowed through the seventh proved to be too much to overcome on a night to forget at Citi Field.

A pair of homers from left fielder Juan Soto and center fielder A.J. Ewing, the latter of whom was a perfect 4-of-4 from the plate, provided some excitement for the fan base. It was all for nothing in the end, though, due to a poor effort from the bullpen and a combined 19 hits allowed.

This is a Mets team that has now lost 13 of its last 17 games and sits in the basement of the NL East standings, 15 games back of the division-leading Atlanta Braves and 8.5 behind the fourth-place Washington Nationals.

The Mets have plenty talent on paper, but a 21st-ranked ERA (4.40) is not going to cut it for a team that is 9-16 in one-run games this season. The season is also barely past the halfway point, but as Tuesday showed, this version of the Mets keeps finding ways to lose games even with some help from their opponent and more than enough run support.