Trip of destruction

The Mets were not playing well going into the All-Star break--they had lost six-of-10--but were still within striking distance of the Braves. After beating Atlanta that Sunday, the Mets were four games out of first and only one behind in the Wild Card.

Now, after a 2-9 road trip, the Mets are in third place, 7 1/2 games behind Atlanta and six out for the Wild card. They are only a half-game in front of fourth-place Florida.