D-backs rout Mets, Thor en route to sweep

NEW YORK — When Mets infielder Kelly Johnson said last weekend that opposing teams would not feel bad for the Mets and their injuries, he may as well have been talking directly to the D-backs. To a team that lost MVP candidate A.J. Pollock before the season even started. To a team that played much of the summer without star pitcher Zack Greinke. To a team that announced Thursday that outfielder David Peralta will undergo season-ending surgery.

The last-place D-backs don’t feel bad for the Mets one bit. And they set about proving it this week at Citi Field, embracing their role of spoiler in a 9-0 blowout on Thursday to secure a crushing three-game series sweep over the Mets.

Stealing four bases off New York starter Noah Syndergaard, the D-backs became the latest team to drive the early-season National League Cy Young Award candidate from a game in the middle innings. Then they piled on late against reliever Jonathon Niese, parlaying Chris Owings’ three-run triple into a six-run sixth.

It was a significant blow to a Mets team that fell back to .500 for the first time since April 20, losing 11 of their last 15 to fall to the fringes of a NL Wild Card race they once led. The Mets mustered nothing in seven innings against D-Backs starter Braden Shipley, who allowed just three hits — all singles — and a walk, needing only 78 pitches.

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