Juan Soto hit a two-run homer that pulled the Mets within one, but he struck out against left-hander Dylan Lee with runners at the corners to end the eighth. New York has dropped nine of 10, including a three-game sweep by its NL East rival in Atlanta last week.

Monday night was another exercise in futility for the Mets, who barely created a stir in a 3-2 loss to the Braves at Citi Field. It was a ninth loss in 10 games for the Mets and their fourth straight against the Braves over the past eight days.

Ronald Acuña Jr. homered, Spencer Schwellenbach pitched seven strong innings and the Atlanta Braves held off the New York Mets 3-2 in the opener of a four-game series