Three times this season the New York Mets have been held scoreless for at least 21 innings. One of those streaks ended in the third inning against the Chicago Cubs today when they scored their only run of the game — and the series.

Comparatively, Mets starters gave them every chance to win by tossing 14.1 combined innings while allowing only four earned runs and striking out 15. If this series wasn’t a call for help to GM Sandy Alderson, I don’t know what will do it.

Scoring that one run was hardly any relief, however. The 6-1 loss gave the Cubs a season sweep over the Mets, which included four games at Wrigley Field and three at Citi Field. It was the first time the Cubs swept a team in seven games or more since 1885. Yes, 1885 — 130 years. The loss brought the Mets to 40-40 for the season, and fall to four games behind Washington.

Ironically, perhaps, that their first run since Sunday was sparked by a pitcher. Jacob deGrom grooved a double before Curtis Granderson drove him in the following at bat. Having the pitchers contribute at the plate is a great thing, but they shouldn’t be the ones who are carrying the offense.

In July, the Mets will face the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and Washington Nationals, and then two series against sub-.500 teams. The Mets are struggling mightily offensively and this isn’t something a prospect can change. They need to go out and get a quality major league bat. Whether that’s Troy Tulowitzki, Hanley Ramirez, or Justin Upton, I don’t know or care. But if the Mets continue to play this way, it’s likely they will be sellers at the deadline rather than buyers.

This was supposed to be the year that the Mets were competitive. However, injuries to David Wright and Travis d’Arnaud have weakened the lineup, which has led to a team-wide slump. The Mets have great pitching — championship caliber pitching — but that’s not going to get the job done alone.

The Mets fans and media — now recognized by Alderson as “Panic City” — realize the team’s need for a bat. Why he doesn’t see it, or why he refused to do anything about it is bewildering. Hopefully the bats can turn it around while the arms continue to anchor the team. However, games against Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke this weekend should have the Mets on no-hitter alert. Maybe another one this season will get the idea across to Alderson.

Matt Turner is a New York Mets Writer for www.RantSports.com. “Like” him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter @MTurnerNY, or add him to your network on LinkedIn or Google.