URGENT UPDATE: The New York Mets’ struggles hit a new low Friday night as they suffered an agonizing 11-9 loss to the Seattle Mariners at Citi Field. This defeat marks their 14th loss in 16 games and leaves them six games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East, while they cling to a slim half-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL wild card spot.
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor expressed the team’s frustration, stating, “It’s part of the mountain… right now we’re in a very steep part of it.” As the Mets struggle to find their footing, fans are left wondering if this season can be salvaged as they witness their team unravel on the field.
The Mets began the season strong, boasting the best record in baseball at 45-24 through June 12. However, their performance has taken a nosedive since, posting a dismal 19-34 record, the second-worst in the majors during that stretch. The only team performing worse is the Washington Nationals, who recently fired their manager and general manager.
The Mets’ defeats have come in various forms: stagnant offense, starting pitching failures, defensive miscues, and, most recently, bullpen meltdowns. In the latest game, the Mets initially led 6-4 through five innings, but their bullpen faltered, allowing seven runs across the final three frames.
Manager Carlos Mendoza was left shaking his head after the game, unable to comprehend the collapse despite having bolstered the bullpen with key acquisitions before the trade deadline. “It’s hard to describe, especially with how much talent and elite arms we got back there,” he remarked.
Notably, the Mets had a promising start with Kodai Senga throwing 5 2/3 innings of solid pitching, only for relief pitchers Ryan Helsley and Brooks Raley to surrender crucial runs in the seventh inning. Seattle capitalized on the Mets’ missteps, scoring five runs in that frame alone to seize the lead for good.
“We scored nine against a team like that, you probably should win the game,” Raley lamented after the match, underscoring the team’s frustration as they attempt to make sense of their current predicament. With just 40 games remaining in the regular season, the pressure is mounting for the Mets to reverse their fortunes quickly.
Mendoza reiterated his belief that the team is too talented to continue this slide, stating, “Bottom line, we gotta start playing better… especially when you get the lead, we gotta be able to shut those games down.”
As the Mets look to regroup, time is not on their side. With the Phillies pulling away in the division and the Reds closing in, fans are left anxiously awaiting a turnaround. The urgency of the situation is palpable, and the Mets must confront their challenges head-on if they hope to salvage their season.
Stay tuned for more updates as the Mets strive to regain their competitive edge in the coming games.
