Mets in second for first time since May

Of the many signs of adversity visible at Shea Stadium on Friday night, none was more ominous than the one the Mets hoisted after they had lost yet again. Everything there was to know about their predicament was captured in two words -- "Help wanted."

Without it, their season essentially is over. And with it, the Mets hardly are assured of playing beyond Sunday afternoon. A month that already had brought them defeat, descent, decline, disappointment and desperation now has produced a deficit, too. They Mets morphed into runners-up when they lost to the Marlins on Friday night, 7-4. Continue