NEW YORK — Stuck with a team collectively slumping and without its best hitter, Luis Rojas decided to get funky.
The Mets’ lineup Tuesday featured Francisco Lindor batting leadoff for the first time this season. Dominic Smith moved up to second, Pete Alonso to third, the previously struggling Michael Conforto to fourth. Starting pitcher David Peterson slotted into the No. 8 spot, ahead of centerfielder Kevin Pillar. Precipitating that rejiggering was the absence of Brandon Nimmo, who sat out with a right hip impingement.
Rojas didn’t have anything to lose — except the game, it turns out. The Mets dropped the series opener to the Red Sox, 2-1, after another poor hitting performance.
