The New York Mets entered Sunday's series finale against the Arizona Diamondbacks with momentum and a chance to win their third straight series. Instead, defensive miscues and a stagnant offense led to a disappointing 5-1 loss in Phoenix.

Left-handed starter Eduardo Rodriguez dominated the Mets for the second time this season, holding them hitless through 5⅓ innings. He finished with one run allowed over 8⅓ innings — an even sharper outing than his April 9 start at Citi Field, where he also surrendered just one run over six frames. Rodriguez was pulled after allowing a bloop single to Mark Vientos in the ninth, but reliever Juan Morillo shut the door on any comeback hopes.

The Mets managed only four hits on the day, while committing a season-high three errors. Third baseman Andy Ibanez had a particularly rough afternoon, making two throwing errors — both on plays to first base. His first miscue came in the fourth inning with two outs, but pitcher David Peterson managed to escape the frame unscored upon. The second error proved more costly. In the sixth inning, Illdemaro Vargas reached on Ibanez's errant throw, and three consecutive two-out hits from Jorge Barrosa, Ryan Waldschmidt, and Ketel Marte pushed three runs across, giving Arizona a commanding 5-1 lead. Peterson also contributed to the defensive struggles with a throwing error of his own in the fifth inning.

Even if the defense had been sharp, the Mets lineup simply couldn't solve Rodriguez. Bo Bichette entered the game hitting .400 with two home runs in 17 career plate appearances against the lefty, but went 0-for-3 with a walk. Juan Soto matched that line, and six Mets starters finished hitless.

The game was effectively decided in the second inning, when Arizona struck first. For a last-place team looking to build momentum, Sunday's performance was a frustrating step backward — one that highlighted both defensive fundamentals and the need for offensive consistency against elite pitching.