Mets stumbling toward finish line

Waves of worry washed over Shea Stadium on Wednesday night, when the Mets slipped closer to the once implausible. Yet another loss to the Nationals had seriously imperiled their lead in the National League East. Anxiety and a sense of doom had inched even closer than the Phillies. And solutions were in shorter supply than victories.

The Mets have been in first place since May 16, and they're quite familiar with the surroundings. On Wednesday though, they found little comfort there -- or anywhere, for that matter. "Right now, we don't," said Carlos Beltran, as he and his mates executed a synchronized squirm. Continue