Nolan McLean delivered a gem for six innings Thursday night at Citi Field, silencing the Arizona Diamondbacks' bats and putting the New York Mets in prime position to secure a series victory. For a starter, that's typically more than enough to earn a win.

However, baseball is a nine-inning game, and the Mets' night unraveled the moment McLean exited. The Diamondbacks erupted for seven runs across the seventh and eighth innings, storming back for a 7-1 win to claim the three-game series, 2-1.

McLean was saddled with the tough-luck loss after the two runners he left on base in the seventh came around to score, highlighting the cruel reality for pitchers when a stellar outing isn't backed by sufficient run support or bullpen stability.

Holding a narrow 1-0 lead, the Mets' defense and relief corps faltered under pressure. A leadoff walk and a single ended McLean's night at 100 pitches, bringing Luke Weaver into a high-leverage spot. The Diamondbacks immediately capitalized with a strategic pinch-hit, and Gabriel Moreno's RBI double off the right-field wall ignited a decisive four-run rally.

Misplays compounded the trouble. A rushed throw home sailed off target, allowing another run, and timely hits from Alek Thomas and Jose Barrosa blew the game open. The Mets' offense, which has struggled to find consistency, had no answer, stranding key runners and failing to mount a counterattack.

The frustration boiled over in the chilly April air as the Diamondbacks tacked on three more runs in the eighth. For Mets fans, it was a familiar and disheartening script: a strong starting performance wasted by late-inning implosions, a recurring theme that has plagued the team's early season. This loss underscores the fine margins in baseball, where a single shaky inning can undo an entire night's work and shift a series' momentum entirely.