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Mets slip behind Brewers in NL wildcard race

(Agencies)
Updated: 2008-09-27 14:30

NEW YORK - The New York Mets lost pole position in the National League wild card race after a 6-1 defeat by the visiting Florida Marlins on Friday.

The Mets fell one game behind the Milwaukee Brewers, who took over sole possession of the wildcard lead with a 5-1 victory over the Chicago Cubs.

The Mets (88-72) now trail the NL East-leading Philadelphia (90-70) by two games after the Phillies beat the Washington Nationals 8-4.

The Mets risk missing out for a second year running in which they have held the division lead during the last month of the season.

New York led the NL East by three games early this month before a collapse reminiscent of last season, when it lost a seven-game division lead and missed the playoffs.

"It didn't happen overnight," third baseman David Wright told reporters. "We've done this to ourselves. We've dug ourselves a hole, now it's up to us to dig ourselves out of that hole."

In the Mets' latest setback, Marlins starter Chris Volstad shut down the offense, pitching six innings and allowing just one run.

The Marlins jumped on Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey, who surrendered two runs in the first inning.

Left fielder Josh Willingham made it 3-0 with solo home run in the sixth and Florida tacked on two more runs in the seventh against the Mets' shaky bullpen.

"Sometimes it's difficult to figure us out," said Mets manager Jerry Manuel. "We might end up winning the whole thing now, in the position we're in."

Left-hander Johan Santana will try to keep New York's playoff hopes alive when he takes the mound Saturday on just three days rest.

The Brewers (89-71) vaulted past the Mets with a three-run seventh inning to help them knock off the Cubs.

Rickie Weeks delivered a three-run homer in his only at-bat of the game to break the game open.

In the American League, the Minnesota Twins (87-73) retained a half-game lead in Central Division despite losing to 8-1 to the Kansas City Royals.

The Chicago White Sox (86-73) were unable to take advantage of Minnesota's stumble, falling 11-8 to the Cleveland Indians.