Mets blow three-run lead as winless start to season continues

The rain finally stopped at Citi Field on Thursday, but the losing did not.

The Mets blew a three-run lead en route to a 6-3 loss in 11 innings to the Tigers, as they dropped to 0-5 for the first time since 2005.

After Adam Ottavino gave up a game-tying homer to Riley Greene in the eighth, the Mets squandered a chance to win the game in the bottom of the ninth, when Francisco Alvarez hit into an inning-ending double play with two on.

Mets catcher Francisco Alvarez grounds into a double play. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

And the Mets bullpen faltered again in the 11th, as Michael Tonkin allowed a go-ahead RBI double to Colt Keith with one out for Detroit’s first lead of the day and then a two-run single to ex-Yankee Gio Urshela.

The Mets offense, which didn’t get a hit after the fifth inning, didn’t answer in the bottom of the inning.

Francisco Lindor drew a two-out walk to bring the tying run to the plate but Pete Alonso struck out to end the game.

The day started off well for the Mets, who led 3-0 heading into the sixth, but Detroit tied the game with runs in the sixth, seventh and eighth before Edwin Diaz tossed a scoreless top of the ninth.

It was a tough start to a tough part of the schedule, as the Mets began a stretch of 15 games in 14 days.

Mets catcher Omar Narvaez tags out Detroit Tigers third baseman Andy Ibanez on a play at the plate during the 11th inning JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

Alvarez sparked the offense early with a two-run double in the bottom of the third, giving the Mets their first lead since the third inning on Opening Day against Milwaukee.

And Adrian Houser, in his first start with the Mets, pitched well, but was removed after just 67 pitches.

A game after Sean Manaea took a no-hitter in the sixth inning of his Mets debut, Houser retired the first seven batters he faced and took a shutout into the sixth.

Mets relief pitcher Michael Tonkin throws a pitch during the 11th inning. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

The offense got going with two out in the third.

After Lindor was hit by a pitch with two out to extend the inning, Alonso singled through the right side of the infield, sending Lindor to second.

Alvarez followed with a double into the left field corner that bounced away from Greene and two runs scored on the play.

Mets starting pitcher Adrian Houser throws to the Detroit Tigers. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

Pitching with a two-run lead in the fourth, Houser walked Kerry Carpenter and Greene to start the inning before Matt Vierling grounded out, which allowed both runners to advance.

But Houser got out of it when Colt Keith lined to Lindor at shortstop and he turned it into an inning-ending double play.

The Mets padded their lead in the fifth, again with two outs, as Brett Baty drove in Alonso with a single to left to make it 3-0.

The Tigers ended Houser’s day with a Meadows walk and Torkelson single to open the sixth.

Pinch-hitter Andy Ibanez drove in their first run with a sacrifice fly off Brooks Raley to cut the lead to 3-1.

Drew Smith allowed a pair of two-out baserunners before being replaced by Jake Diekman and a passed ball moved the runners up to second and third for pinch-hitter and ex-Met Mark Canha.

Mets designated hitter Brandon Nimmo safely steals second base. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST

A wild pitch scored Urshela from third- to make it a one-run game- and sent Zack McKinstry to third before Canha walked.

Diekman recovered to strike out Torkelson to preserve the lead. 

But Ottavino couldn’t hold it. The right-hander gave up a game-tying, one-out solo homer to the lefty-swinging Greene in the eighth. 

The Mets had Brandon Nimmo and Alonso on first and second with one out in the bottom of the ninth, when Alvarez grounded into a double play.

Asked before the game about how the first week on the job has gone, which featured a lot of rain and losses, new manager Carlos Mendoza said, “Not the way I anticipated, to be honest with you. We’ve been through a lot, especially in the first series… You’ve just got to keep going, prepare and lean on the guys and coaches. We’ll get through it.”