Freefalling Mets continue skid, lose to D-backs

Phoenix — Paul Goldschmidt and Daniel Descalso homered, Zack Godley pitched effectively into the seventh inning and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the staggering New York Mets 7-3 on Friday night. The NL West leaders have won seven of eight and 11 of 14. The freefalling Mets have dropped four straight, 12 of 13 and 19 of 23.

After starting the season 111, the Mets (28-38) have gone from 10 games over .500 to 10 games under earlier than any team in major league history. The previous mark was held by the 2011 Marlins, who did it in their 76th game.

New York’s stagnant offense has mustered just 21 runs in the last 13 games, scoring three or fewer in 11 straight.

Goldschmidt gave Arizona a lead in the first with his second solo home run in two nights. The slugging first baseman, having a torrid June after a miserable May, has nine homers and 21 RBIs in his past 20 games. He also singled twice and drove in two runs.

Descalso had a sacrifice fly to go with a two-run homer off Seth Lugo (2-2) that put Arizona up 5-2 in the fifth. Jon Jay added three hits, including a triple.

Dominic Smith, brought up from Triple-A Las Vegas on Tuesday, homered and doubled for the Mets.

Godley (7-5) dodged trouble through the first four innings before retiring 10 of the last 11 batters he faced. He went 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs and five hits while striking out eight and walking three.

With two runners on, Brad Boxberger entered and retired Michael Conforto for his 16th save.

Lugo led off the third with a single, Conforto was hit by a pitch and Todd Frazier followed with an RBI double. But the damage was limited when Godley fanned the next three batters to keep it tied at 1.