new york mets

The New York Mets suffered two crushing blows to their playoff hopes in the first inning of Sunday's game against the Marlins.

After starting pitcher Tom Glavine was knocked out in the top of the first, and the Marlins plated seven runs, first baseman Carlos Delgado was hit by a Dontrelle Willis pitch in his left hand in the home half, breaking a bone. Jeff Conine took over at first for Delgado.

The injury most likely ended a disappointing season for Delgado, who batted .258 with 24 home runs and 87 RBI.

The Mets entered play tied with the Phillies for first place in the NL East, and a game back of the Padres for the wild card.

The New York Mets completed a stunning September collapse when they fell 8-1 to last-placed Florida Marlins on Sunday in a defeat that ruled them out of a playoffs berth on the final day of the season.

The Mets, who until Friday had led the National League East since mid-May, became the first major league team to squander a seven-game lead with 17 games left to play when they were overtaken by the Philadelphia Phillies for the NL East crown.

"It's just a tough life lesson in baseball," Mets manager Willie Randolph told reporters. "When you have the opportunity to seal the deal and you don't capitalize, it can come back to haunt you.

"It's going to be a tough winter."

The Mets and Phils entered Sunday's game in a dead heat.

Philadelphia beat the visiting Washington Nationals 6-1 in their regular season finale to finish with a 89-73 record and win the East Division.

The Mets dropped to 88-74 after a dismal defeat set in motion by a disastrous first inning from 303-game winner Tom Glavine, who recorded only one out and was charged with seven runs in the worst opening frame of his 20-year career.

Glavine gave up five hits and walked two, forced a run in by hitting pitcher Dontrelle Willis and made a throwing error that allowed a run to score.