TORONTO — The Mets lost a slim lead in the seventh inning Monday night, but they played the role of generous guests and let the weaker team take the game.
Hey, that counts.
Despite a lackluster offense for the second straight day, the Mets took advantage of an eighth-inning blunder by their opponents to pull off a 3-2 win over the Blue Jays at Rogers Centre.
A day after their nine-game winning streak was snapped, the Mets tied the game and took the lead in the eighth inning thanks to a pinch-hit walk by Jesse Winker and an infield hit by Francisco Alvarez.
The Mets (79-65) are one game behind Atlanta in the race for the National League's third wild card spot.
After Danny Young gave up two runs in the seventh to put the Mets down 2-1, Winker walked and Alvarez hit a slow grounder that third baseman Ernie Clement flicked out, advancing runners to first and second.
Pinch runner Tyrone Taylor scored the tying run on a wild pitch with the bases loaded, and then pinch runner Eddie Alvarez scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball by catcher Brian Serven.
Tyler Megill loaded the bases with no runs allowed in the first inning and struck out the last 16 batters he faced, continuing a recent dominating showing from Mets starters.
Megill allowed one hit and walked two in six innings, striking out a season-high nine batters.
The right-hander pitched six or more scoreless innings for just the second time this season, having pitched seven scoreless innings against the Dodgers on May 28, while also striking out nine batters.
Megill walked Will Wagner to load the bases in the first inning, but got Alejandro Kirk out on a comeback out to end the inning.
The Blue Jays threatened with two outs, including a walk by Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and a double by Spencer Horowitz.
J.D. Martinez, pitching sixth behind Jose Iglesias, hit a one-run single in the fourth inning to give the Mets a 1-0 lead.
Pete Alonso walked with two outs to start the comeback, and after Iglesias was hit, Martinez recorded his 69th RBI of the season.
Alvarez walked in the fifth inning but was called out while trying to steal second base to end the inning. Iglesias batted first in the seventh but was hit by Starling Marte on a grounder to end the inning.
Young struck out Wagner in the seventh to start the Blue Jays' comeback, and after Kirk singled, Jose Butto singled to Clement, loading the bases.
Butt struck out Leo Jimenez to give Toronto its first run, and Nathan Luke's sacrifice fly put the Mets down 2-1.
