Where it went all wrong for Mets’ Zack Wheeler

A slow start from Zack Wheeler put the Mets in a tough position Saturday against the Braves.

Wheeler, who struggled with the strike zone, had allowed four earned runs by the end of the third inning and couldn’t quite find a rhythm throughout his six innings on the mound.

He ended up with a no-decision, but gave up five hits — two of them homers — and four walks in the Mets’ 9-5 loss to the Braves at Citi Field.

“Out of the stretch I was a little off today, but nothing really changed from the bullpen to the game,” Wheeler said. “Just trying to throw more four-seams, arm-side, and that just wasn’t there in the first few innings, so I kind of said screw it and started throwing two-seam, because I knew it was going to be there.

“Fell behind a lot of guys, a lot of deep counts and kind of setting guys up for a fastball. I just need to do a better job getting ahead of guys, makes it a lot easier and I’ve had my success when I do get ahead of guys. I think that’s one of the bigger things, I just need to pound the zone and just go after guys.”

In the second inning, Wheeler walked the first two batters he faced before giving up a line-drive, two-run double to left by former Yankee Francisco Cervelli, who was playing his first game for Atlanta after being signed Saturday following his release by the Pirates. The catcher was caught in a rundown between second and third and thrown out.

The Braves’ homers off Wheeler, both solo shots, came in the third inning, one by Ozzie Albies and another by Josh Donaldson. It was the first time since June 11 that Wheeler had allowed two homers in a single game.

“He battled,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “The state of our bullpen tonight, he had to get to his pitch count. He did that and got through six. It wasn’t his best outing, the two walks in the second inning probably were the thing that hurt him the most, but he continued to battle.

“He’s been better, he’s been worse, but he battled for us.”

Wheeler blamed his inconsistency for his struggles on the mound, noting he feels like he’s back to the drawing board as he attempts to move on from his third straight shaky outing.

In his past five starts, Wheeler has allowed 33 hits and 12 earned runs through 31 innings. He had an ugly outing against the Braves on Aug. 13, giving up 12 hits and five runs in five innings.

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