MILWAUKEE -- Chris Young (4-8) took the loss in his 18th start, but considering his journey back from shoulder surgery, he’s still happy with his season.

“That was my goal,” Young said of trying to stay healthy and make as many starts as he could. “I didn’t want to come back to get hurt. I worked hard to be where I am.”

The 18 starts are the most for the 33-year-old right-hander since 2008 when he also made 18 for the San Diego Padres.

“I haven’t had a day off from the time I had the surgery,” he said after going 6 2/3 innings, allowing three runs, all solo home runs, on eight hits with two strikeouts. “I’ve worked hard to be out here. I didn’t come back thinking, ‘Oh, I wouldn’t make starts.’ I’ve taken care of myself. I’ve worked hard. I feel like I’m going to continue to get stronger.”

He’s proud of his accomplishments, despite the record which include six no-decisions.

“It means I’m healthy. It means I’m healthy,” he said. “I think I’ve pitched pretty well, better than my record probably indicates. But, there’s a lot of room for improvement.”

The road back hasn’t been easy.

“There’s a lot of challenges with it,” he said. “I feel like I’ve had some bad luck. Hopefully, that’s behind me. I’m 15 months out of surgery, surgery a lot of people thought I’ve never come back from. ... I’ve got two (starts) left. I’m going to try to improve these next two, go out and help us win games. One’s against Miami, a team that we’re fighting to be ahead of in the standings. The other is against Atlanta, a teaming fighting for the playoffs.”

He had a simple explanation for the home runs, two by Ryan Braun and the other by Aramis Ramirez.
“I fell behind and didn’t hit my spot,” Young said. He threw 69 of his 101 pitches for strikes.
Manager Terry Collins said that Young pitched well, again.

“He kept us in the game,” Collins said. “Two hits isn’t going to get us very far.”

Those two hits tied the Mets' season low, set June 8 against the Yankees.

Starter on Wednesday: After the game, Collins said it probably would be right-hander Jeremy Hefner vs. the Phils.

Last, and least: The Mets were shut out for the 11th time this season.