The New York Mets' search for offense has hit a new low. On Friday night, the lineup was silenced in a 4-0 loss to the Oakland Athletics, extending a frustrating skid that has fans checking the calendar.

This marks the Mets' third consecutive defeat, and more alarmingly, their scoreless streak has now reached 17 innings. The team managed just six hits, failing to capitalize on rare opportunities and letting another winnable game slip away.

Starter Clay Holmes provided a silver lining with a gritty performance, holding the A's to one run over 5.1 innings. However, his night ended prematurely due to left hamstring tightness after allowing a single in the sixth. The lone run against him came in the third on a Shea Langeliers RBI single, a sequence prolonged by a narrowly missed double play.

Offensively, the Mets were baffled by Athletics pitcher J.T. Ginn, a former Mets prospect. Ginn retired the first seven batters and ultimately tossed four shutout innings, allowing only a bizarre bunt single. The Mets' best chance came in the sixth, with runners on the corners and no outs, but the rally fizzled against the Oakland bullpen.

As the losses pile up, the pressure mounts on this Mets lineup to break out of its collective slump. For a team with postseason aspirations, finding a spark at the plate has become the most urgent item on the agenda.