Mets, Terry Collins can expect no offensive help from the minor leagues

Do you know what makes Mets fans even happier after their team scores six total runs during a five-game losing streak? Telling them there's no relief on the way. Then again, it can't exactly be easy for the players and coaches, either.

You know the struggles: David Wright isn't playing. Michael Cuddyer isn't hitting. Curtis Granderson can only walk, and even that's dropped off. The replacements are a problem too. Of the eight non-pitchers on the field yesterday, three of them weren't supposed to see regular playing time this year; Dilson Herrera, Eric Campbell, and Kevin Plawecki were all supposed to be Triple-A players or backups.

But there's no help coming, manager Terry Collins told reporters yesterday.

"We've had everybody from Triple-A here. One guy hitting .500 (in Las Vegas), he's here. Another guy hitting .375, he's here. Another guy hitting .350, he's here. I don't know what you want me to tell you. We've done everything we can. We've brought all those guys up that are swinging the bats good. This is not the (Pacific) Coast League. You can make all the changes you want. When they come up here, they've got to get the job done."

In Triple-A Las Vegas, only four players are on the 40-man roster. Catcher Johnny Monell, in 12 games with the big league club, hit .063/.118/.125. Infielder Danny Muno, in 13 games, hit .083/.185/.083. Shortstop Wilfredo Tovar, in nine games between 2013 and 2014, hit .167/.250/.167. Catcher Anthony Recker, who was expected to maintain his status as backup catcher but was instead relegated to Triple-A with Travis d'Arnaud making his way back to full-time, has struggled this year, hitting .143/.276/.265 in 19 games.

The Mets knew going into the season that they would be relying on pitching to lead them to the top of the NL East, even with Zack Wheeler out for the year. But starting pitchers going seven innings and giving up one run only helps if your hitters can cross the plate twice.

"We're getting used to watching some pretty good pitching and we can't score," Collins said. "It's a little frustrating for everybody."