The Mets returned from the All-Star break with their five-tool center fielder back in the heart of their lineup for the first time this season.

But since Carlos Beltran's return, New York has gone 2-9 on a western road trip that included a three-game sweep at the hands of the last-place Diamondbacks.

The Mets have scored two runs or less in seven of their 11 games since July 15. And Beltran has been one reason for the power outage, recording just two hits in his last seven games as New York's cleanup hitter.

But Beltran isn't the only one to blame. David Wright's batting average has dropped from .314 to .298 since the break. And the team ranks 22nd or worse in the majors in batting average, home runs, RBI and hits.

Entering the All-Star break, the Mets were in second place in the NL East -- four games back of the Braves -- and a game out of the wild card. But the road skid has pushed the Mets back to third in the division -- 7 1/2 back of the Braves -- and six games back in the wild card entering Monday night.

The Mets have been one of the worst road teams in the National League (20-33). The only consolation after losing nine of 11 games away from home is the fact that New York's longest road stint is finally over.