Journeyman starter, lifeless bats fail Mets after adventurous squirrels steal show in loss to Brewers

A pair of adventurous squirrels were the highlight of the Mets’ evening.

Unlike the team, they gave Mets fans something to cheer about.

Robert Stock and the lifeless lineup certainly didn’t.

The journeyman right-hander had very little, and the Mets failed to take advantage of Brewers starter Dustin May leaving after one batter in an ugly 8-1 loss at Citi Field.

In the bottom of the third inning, the crowd began cheering. A squirrel had gotten loose behind home plate. The cheers turned to groans when the Mets failed to take advantage of a two-on, two-out opportunity when Carson Benge flied out to left field.

As the fans were rooting on the squirrel, Bo Bichette fouled a pitch off his foot. He later left the game with a left foot contusion.

In the top of the following inning, the Brewers put the game away. Brice Turang ripped a three-run homer to make it 7-0. Milwaukee started the second with six consecutive hits.

Mets left fielder AJ Ewing reacts after striking out against the Milwaukee Brewers in the fourth inning at Citi Field in Queens, New York, on Wednesday, August 26, 2026. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

Stock, a 36-year-old journeyman who replaced Freddy Peralta in the starting rotation when the veteran was traded to the Rays, hasn’t given the Mets much length.

He lasted only four innings Wednesday and gave up 10 hits and seven earned runs, as his ERA rose to 7.40.

In five starts, he has failed to record an out in the sixth inning. This performance was similar to his Aug. 8 start against the Pirates, when he was tattooed for nine hits and eight earned runs in three innings.

Next week, rosters expand by two, and the Mets could opt to replace Stock in the starting rotation with a prospect like Jonah Tong. Interim manager Andy Green said before the game he was unsure of any promotions that could be coming.

Mets starting pitcher Robert Stock reacts after giving up a three-run home run to Milwaukee Brewers second baseman Brice Turang in the fourth inning at Citi Field in Queens. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST
A squirrel runs out onto the playing field while New York Mets third baseman Bo Bichette tries to bat against the Milwaukee Brewers in the third inning at Citi Field in Queens. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

Leading off the game for the Mets, A.J. Ewing drilled a line drive off May’s right shoulder/armpit.

May initially tried to stay in but was in obvious pain and, after a few warmup pitches, departed. It was later announced as a right scapula contusion.

It didn’t help the Mets lineup. Robert Gasser held it to six hits and one run over 5 1/3 innings.

His lone hiccup was allowing a Francisco Alvarez run-scoring single in the fourth.

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