Jose Quintana’s Citi Field return lasted a few batters too long Thursday night, as the veteran southpaw faltered during his third time through the Mets lineup in Milwaukee’s 3-2 defeat.

Quintana was solid early, giving up just one run on three hits through five innings. The one run came off the bat of Brandon Nimmo on a solo home run. 

Pitching efficiently and walking no batters, Quintana entered the sixth inning with only 70 pitches. After striking out the No. 9 hitter Tyrone Taylor to open the frame, Quintana faced the top of the Mets lineup for the third time. A pair of softly hit ground-ball singles from Starling Marte and Francisco Lindor set up runners on the corners, both hits just 79 mph off the bat. 

Following a mound visit after Lindor’s infield single, Quintana remained on the hill to face Juan Soto. On a 2-2 pitch, Soto rolled a third consecutive ground-ball single, driving in the go-ahead run and ending Quintana’s night.

Quintana was tagged for three earned runs over 5 1/3 innings after Nick Mears, who entered in relief, allowed one of the inherited runners to score, extending the Mets’ lead to 3-1.

After giving up three or more runs just once over his first eight starts, Quintana has now done so in three of his last four outings.