PHOENIX _ In the midst of a brutal stretch, the Mets worked to reshuffle their roster, signing veteran right-hander Neil Ramirez to bolster a beleaguered bullpen. Then, they finally added the banged-up Asdrbual Cabrera to the disabled list, ending an ill-fated effort by the shortstop to play through a sprained left thumb.
Nevertheless, the tailspin continued in a 5-4 loss to the Diamondbacks, leaving the Mets needing a victory in Wednesday afternoon's series finale to avoid a winless six-game road trip.
Left-hander Tommy Milone extended what has become an infamous streak for a starting rotation that has devolved into one of the worst in baseball. By allowing five runs in 52/3 innings, Milone ensured that it would be 16 straight games since a Mets starting pitcher recorded an out in the seventh.
During that stretch, Mets starters have combined for a 7.10 ERA, a major reason why they must win on Wednesday just to avoid a season-long seven game losing streak. Subpar starting pitching is also why general manager Sandy Alderson was busy on Monday scouring for some help in a bullpen that has paid a heavy price for overuse.
Ramirez, 27, is hardly a cure-all. In nine appearances with the Giants this season, he allowed 10 runs in 101/3 innings (8.71 ERA) though he has struck out 18 batters while walking just four. The Blue Jays claimed Ramirez off waivers but designated him for assignment before he pitched in a game.
"Every mistake I did make was getting hit," said Ramirez, who at the very least provides a fresh arm for a Mets bullpen that has paid dearly for the rotation's shortcomings.
As a group, Mets relievers began the day with a 5.26 ERA, the third highest in the National League and just behind the Nationals, whose bullpen had expected to be a weakness. Opposing batters have hit a league worst .281 against the Mets bullpen while bashing 23 homers, second most in the league.
To make room for Ramirez on the 40-man roster, the Mets moved closer Jeurys Familia on the 60-day disabled list. He's expected to miss three months after undergoing surgery to remove a blood clot, an injury that only made Mets bullpen more vulnerable.
Meanwhile, it's unclear how long Cabrera will be on the shelf. He had tried to play through the pain caused by his thumb injury before reaggravating it on a swing on Saturday. Jose Reyes took over for Cabrera at shortstop on Tuesday, finishing 0-for-4.
The Diamondbacks seized a 4-1 lead in the third off Milone while opening up some old wounds in the process. Gregor Blanco had already singled home a pair of runs, and then scored on an RBI single by Chris Owings. The Diamondbacks tacked on another run when Paul Goldschmidt stole home on the back end of a double steal.
He was safe partly because first baseman Lucas Duda made a wide throw home, just as he did during his moment of infamy in Game 5 of the 2015 World Series.
Meanwhile, the Mets paid the price for not pouncing on Zack Greinke when they had a chance in the second. The Diamondbacks ace needed 35 pitches to navigate a frame in which the Mets sent seven men to the plate. But the only run was forced across when Curtis Granderson drew a bases-loaded walk.
Granderson struck again in the fifth. Entering the game with a .148 average, and batting in the eighth spot for the first time since 2011, Granderson hit a solo homer.
In the seventh, with Greinke still in the game, catcher Rene Rivera continued his unexpected offensive surge. His two-run shot pushed his career-best hitting streak to 10 games and cut the Mets' deficit to 5-4.
Paul Sewald combined with Jerry Blevins and Fernando Salas for 21/3 innings of scoreless relief, preserving a chance at a comeback. But the Diamondbacks' Fernando Rodney closed out the Mets the ninth.
