RICK EYMER
Associated Press
OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — Dillon Gee is frustrated, so is manager Terry Collins. And the New York Mets just keep losing.
Gee hasn’t been able to get out of the sixth inning in four of his last seven starts, all losses.
It happened again Tuesday night when Coco Crisp hit a tiebreaking three-run triple off Gee in the fourth inning, and the Oakland Athletics beat the Mets 6-2 to snap a five-game losing streak.
“He was up in the zone. That’s not where he’s supposed to be,” Collins said. “The balls Coco hit were because he fell behind in the count. He’s a better pitcher than he’s showing.”
Gee (4-6) hopes Collins is right. He gave up four runs and eight hits in 5 2-3 innings and lost his fifth straight decision in seven starts, the longest skid of his career. Gee is winless since July 9.
“It’s difficult and it’s frustrating,” Gee said. “All I can do is try to take the positives out of this, keep working hard and try to turn it around.”
Gee pitched well through three innings. He faced a two-out, bases-loaded situation in the third but struck out Josh Donaldson, the A’s home run leader.
He struggled in the fourth, and things just fell apart for Gee afterward.
“It seems I can be consistent for a while and then just lose it for a minute,” Gee said. “I haven’t been able to get through the rough inning.”
Scott Kazmir (14-5) allowed one run and four hits in six innings. He retired nine of his final 10 batters after giving up a solo home run to Travis d’Arnaud leading off the fourth.
New York lost its third straight and sixth of eight overall.
The Mets avoided making history but couldn’t snap their skid.
New York had been held to four hits or fewer in its previous five games. According to stats provided to the team by Elias Sports Bureau, no club had ever done that in six straight.
The Mets managed seven hits this time but it wasn’t enough to prevent their second loss in three games against the A’s this season.
“We’ve got to put more than two hits together in an inning,” Collins said. “We’ve got to get stuff going.”
TRAINER’S ROOM
Mets: As expected, New York placed RHP Bartolo Colon on the bereavement list following the death of his mother. RHP Gonzalez Germen was recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas to take Colon’s roster spot. … RHP Jacob deGrom pitched to hitters and is on schedule to come off the DL on Friday. … 2B Daniel Murphy was given the night off. Murphy went into the day leading the NL with 152 hits.
UP NEXT
Mets: RHP Zach Wheeler (8-8) makes his second career start against Oakland. Wheeler allowed six runs and lasted just two innings in his only other outing against the A’s on June 25, the shortest start of his career. . IF David Wright is hitting .384 against left-handers this season after going 1 for 4.
Athletics: RHP Jeff Samardzija (3-2) pitches the second half of this two-game series. He is unbeaten in five starts at the Coliseum.
A BRIGHT SPOT
Travis d’Arnaud hit his 11th home run of the season and his eighth since being recalled from Triple-A on June 24. What made Collins happy was where d’Arnaud hit his homer.
“Going to right field, that was nice to see,” Collins said. “We’ve talked about it. He has power that way.”
D’Arnaud is hitting .267 (42 for 158) with 24 runs, 10 doubles and 22 RBIs since the recall.
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