PHOENIX — The Mets can’t hang with the Dodgers, but they can beat the mediocre teams and that is a start. Nothing comes easy for this team.

After losing three of four in Los Angeles, the Mets blew a two-run lead Friday night against the Diamondbacks. Trailing by a run in the eighth, however, they got a pinch-hit RBI infield single from J.D. Davis to tie the game and then a second-pinch-hitter Carlos Gomez put the Mets ahead, 5-4, with a ground-rule double down the line in left that was touched by the Diamondbacks Ball Dude.

With the pressure growing on Mickey Callaway, his moves made a difference.

Seth Lugo, fresh off the injured list, managed to get through the eighth despite Gomez making a bad read on a fly to center that became a triple and Robert Gsellman, not Edwin Diaz, pitched the ninth for the save in the 5-4 victory at Chase Field.

Callaway said Diaz needed another day of rest because of how much he has been used. Diaz’s slider has not been as effective because he is flying open, possibly because he has been overworked and is worn down.

Gsellman had 13 saves last season and his personality is not one to be over-excited to be placed in such a role and that is another thing Callaway has to read.

Callaway had to manage on the fly and it all worked out for the Mets.

“Every win is important,’’ Gomez said. “We’re only like [five] games behind and there are still 100 games to play. There are a lot of positive things when you start a series with a win.’’

It was the kind or restart the Mets desperately needed and a big night for Gsellman.

On Wednesday the Mets blew an 8-3 lead against the Dodgers, losing 9-8 when Diaz surrendered two home runs and four runs in the ninth inning.

“Now both [Jeurys] Familia and Diaz have had two days off and we are caught up,’’ Callaway said. “If we would have pitched them today, man we would have been trying to catch up for another week. Lugo and Gsellman stepped up big time and got the job done.’’

And so it goes. With the Mets there is always some crisis to deal with and some out-of-the-box thinking to try to make it all work. Sometimes it does. Sometimes it doesn’t.
Welcome to Mickey’s World.

After all, Gomez has a huge role for the team now. Same goes for Adeiny Hechavarria. And don’t forget Dominic Smith, a first baseman, is starting in left field. None of those were really in the plans.

A new day, a new set of problems for Callaway to tackle.

With the bench being the way it is, Callaway has to make sure he uses whatever he has at the right moment. Davis and Gomez came through huge as well as Lugo and Gsellman.

Being the Mets manager means you have to do more with less.

“We are unbelievable at coming back,’’ Callaway said, quick to praise his players. “The hardest thing to do is to come back when your backs are against the wall.’’

In that eighth inning, Todd Frazier started the rally with a two-out single.

Callaway does not have a lot of room for error with his moves.

“No you don’t,’’ he said, “and they have been coming through. They have been doing a great job. It seems like every time I put somebody up there they get a hit.

“That rally was all about fighting,’’ Callaway said. “Sometimes it’s just about touching the ball. If you are up there swinging for the fences and you are swinging and missing you are not going to score a run.’’

That kind of fits the Mets. They can’t swing for the fences like the Dodgers. Swing and get a hit. Use the whole field. Maybe get a little luck too.

Every game is an ordeal for the Mets and some shaky outfield play made this one even more of a nail-biter.

Nothing comes easy for Callaway or the Mets. It’s a struggle.