METSGAMEDAY

Breaking: Jacob deGrom is human.

On Saturday night at Citi Field, deGrom allowed three earned runs in a start for the first time since April 16, as the Mets fell to the Dodgers, 8-3. DeGrom struggled with his command over six innings, tying a season high with three walks while allowing five hits, including a mammoth no-doubt home run from L.A. first baseman Max Muncy in the opening inning.

That deGrom went this long without a mediocre start is a testament to how dominant he’s been all season, particularly in May and June. His ERA for the year is still a sterling 1.69.

The game got out of hand in the eighth inning. After Cody Bellinger scored on a safety squeeze, Matt Kemp hit a pinchhit grand slam.

DeGrom matched up against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, who was activated off the DL Saturday after missing three weeks with a back issue. Kershaw was originally supposed to make a rehab start in Omaha, Nebraska, but opted instead to take the mound at Citi Field. He was on a pitch count coming off the injury and allowed two earned runs over three innings.

The Mets are now a season-high 12 games under .500.