New York, which had won four in a row and 16 of 20, fell a game behind Arizona for the second of three NL wild cards. But the Mets remained two games ahead of Atlanta for the league’s last playoff spot.

It was the pitching, though, that told the story of the night. Manager Carlos Mendoza pulled David Peterson from a two-run game after 3 2/3 innings and 64 pitches. Peterson clearly was not in top form — he had allowed eight hits and four runs and had another runner on base — but it nonetheless represented a very quick hook.

The Phillies routed the Mets Friday night to clinch their third straight playoff berth, but they still have two more goals to accomplish.