MILWAUKEE (AP) -- Already fighting to stay in first place, the Milwaukee Brewers are now scuffling among themselves.

Catcher Johnny Estrada and manager Ned Yost nearly tangled in a dugout tunnel late in today's 12-4 loss to the New York Mets.

The game marked the Brewers' tenth defeat in 14 games.

Damion Easley hit the first inside-the-park homer at Miller Park in five years, breaking a sixth-inning tie.

The Mets scored three more times in the seventh, helped by shortstop J.J. Hardy's error and an RBI double from reliever Jorge Sosa.

When the half-inning ended, Estrada and Yost got into a heated dispute in the tunnel leading from the dugout to the clubhouse.

Infielder Tony Graffanino stepped between them as other players milled around.

The Brewers lost two of three in the series, with their loss last night dropping them out of the N.L. Central lead for the first time since April 21.