Coming up short — of course

WASHINGTON — All the scenarios the Mets needed to happen for them to sneak into the postseason occurred over the weekend, except one: They didn’t win their own games.

The Phillies, Giants and Brewers all cratered in a true race to the bottom for the NL’s final wild-card spot. Three victories over two days at Nationals Park would have put the Mets in the playoffs. Instead, they lost all three. Sunday’s indignation was a 15-5 pummeling by the Nationals that locked up a tie for last place in the NL East for the Mets (26-34). “Everyone is a little emotional in there and they are talking about the outcomes of the games that would have impacted what we would have done here,” manager Luis Rojas said. “They are emotional about saying goodbye to each other.”

After a mostly successful transition to the rotation, Seth Lugo’s final start was a dud. The right-hander lasted only 1 ¹/3 innings and allowed six earned runs on five hits and two walks.

“I came out of the game, I was very upset,” Lugo said. “I still cared about this game and end on a good note and beat these guys.”

The Nationals led 12-0 after only three innings. After Brad Brach walked the bases loaded in the third without recording an out, Trea Turner smashed a grand slam against Steven Matz. Yan Gomes also homered against Matz, who finished his brutal season with a 9.68 ERA.

Pete Alonso homered twice for the Mets to finish the season with 16.

➤ The last-place finish was the 14th in franchise history and the first since 2003. It marked the third time in four years the Mets have finished fourth or lower in the NL East.

➤ Tomas Nido, in an Instagram post, confirmed he tested positive for COVID-19 this season. The Mets’ backup catcher was placed on the injured list in August and never returned to the active roster. Robinson Chirinos was acquired at the trade deadline to give the Mets an experienced backup behind Wilson Ramos.

“Unfortunately my season was cut short after getting COVID and other related complications while trying to come back,” Nido wrote.

He noted that his 2020 was filled with “a lot of ups and downs.”

➤ In his comments to the team after it was eliminated from postseason contention, Rojas said he thanked the players for their professionalism during the pandemic.

“We were really good with the protocol,” Rojas said.