Sean Manaea’s vintage performance is absent in his second consecutive start for the Mets.

Where is Sean Manaia from Last Season?

Sean Manaia, the Mets’ left-hander, has not quite replicated the performance that bolstered this starting rotation for a good part of last year. Sunday marked another challenging start for him, as he tried to help stabilize the team.

“I feel like I’m doing everything right,” Manaia commented after the team’s 7-6 loss to the Brewers. “I think I’m heading in the right direction because I just have to continue on this path.”

Having missed the first half of the season due to an oblique strain, Manaia allowed four runs, six hits, and two walks over four innings, raising his ERA to 4.33 through six outings. He began the game with a promising 5-0 lead but faltered when the Brewers scored three runs in the fourth inning and another in the fifth.

Last week, he gave up five runs in six innings during a start against Cleveland.

“[Manaia] struggles the second or third time through the order,” Coach Carlos Mendoza acknowledged, indicating that he had let Manaia work through his difficulties.

Brandon Nimmo managed to walk twice and contributed a sacrifice bunt during a 2-for-2 performance. His .437 OPS in August stands out, and he’s one of the more prominent players in the lineup along with Francisco Lindor.

“It’s rough right now, but it’s nothing new,” Nimmo said. “It happens every year and is just part of baseball. I try to be productive; even when things aren’t going great, I feel I’ve contributed something.”

Mendoza mentioned that it’s yet to be determined if Frankie Montas will return to a regular starting role or pitch behind an opener in his next appearance. Montas pitched three innings in relief on Saturday, allowing three runs—two of which were unearned—before being pulled after 72 pitches.

The Mets have the advantage of an off-day on Monday, allowing them to adjust their rotation for the upcoming homestand. It’s possible that the struggling Montas won’t be in action again until Saturday against the Mariners.