Mets offense clams up with bases crowded

PHILADELPHIA — The Mets got a taste of what their day would be like offensively in the first inning Sunday afternoon.

Facing Phillies ace Aaron Nola, they loaded the bases with one out and came away with nothing.

The Mets had plenty of chances to break out and make life easier for a pitching staff that had to piece together eight innings with Jacob deGrom’s early exit, but they left Citizens Bank Park still searching for a big hit after a 4-2 loss to the Phillies.

The Mets had 11 hits, three walks and a hit batter but stranded nine base runners and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position.

“It’s always frustrating when you’re leaving guys out there,” said Michael Conforto, who started the series as the hero with a game-winning home run Friday but went 1-for-4 with two strikeouts and stranded six runners himself Sunday. “We had guys on base, I had a couple opportunities to get a big hit there. Gotta give credit to Nola. He was very, very good in tough spots with runners on.”

Yoenis Cespedes hit a home run in the sixth inning, but it came with nobody on. The only other run came when Asdrubal Cabrera doubled in the seventh and Brandon Nimmo came around to score from first.

The Mets had at least one base runner in every other inning but failed to capitalize. Their pitching staff has largely kept them in games recently, but the offense now has scored two or fewer runs in eight of the past 11 games.

“Today, we had the base runners. We just didn’t get them in,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “I don’t think our team is built for just putting together hit after hit after hit and going first to third and things like that. It is what it is. I think when the home runs start to come, that’s when you’re going to see the team we are.”

The Mets, who were without Jay Bruce (paternity leave) and Todd Frazier (disabled list) for the series, ended Sunday with 37 home runs. That fell below the league average, which was 44 as play began Sunday.

“We got guys who hit homers, and I think early in the season, we did a good job of getting guys on base, just grinding atbats out, taking what the pitcher gives us,” Conforto said. “I think we’re capable of that, but when the bats aren’t clicking the way they have been lately, it’s going to be tough to put runs on the board.”