NEW YORK — Even with a lead, it felt inevitable.
Justin Verlander danced in and out of trouble, his pitch count sometimes feeling like a more pressing concern than the number of Brewers who managed to get on base. The bullpen door was forced to swing open earlier than ideal and, within minutes, Drew Smith was looking toward the centerfield wall, and Brandon Nimmo was letting out an exasperated sigh.
The Mets: poisoned by their pen again. And, unlike their Sunday disaster against the Phillies, this time, their offense did little to shoulder the burden.
