URGENT UPDATE: The New York Mets’ struggles continue as they suffered a devastating 11-9 loss to the Seattle Mariners on Friday night at Citi Field. This defeat marks their 14th loss in 16 games, leaving them six games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East and just a half-game ahead of the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL wild card spot.
Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor expressed the team’s frustration, stating, “You got to climb the mountain, and right now we’re in a very steep part of it.” The team must rally to improve or risk facing a bleak end to their season.
What makes this loss even more impactful is the Mets’ dramatic decline. After boasting the best record in baseball with a 45-24 lead through June 12, they have now spiraled to a dismal 19-34 since then, ranking second-to-last in the majors during that span. Only the struggling Washington Nationals have performed worse.
The Mets’ challenges have come from multiple sources: a struggling offense, starting pitching failures, and a bullpen that has faltered under pressure. In the last two games, the bullpen has been particularly problematic. Manager Carlos Mendoza lamented, “It’s hard to describe, especially with how much talent and elite arms we got back there.”
During Friday’s game, the Mets initially led 6-4 through five innings. However, the Mariners exploded for seven runs in the final three innings. The Mets’ relief pitchers, including deadline acquisitions like Ryan Helsley and Tyler Rogers, could not hold the lead, resulting in a crushing defeat.
In reflecting on the team’s performance, 37-year-old lefty Brooks Raley shared his disbelief, stating, “I haven’t seen anything like this… you probably should win the game after scoring nine runs against a team like that.”
With only 40 games remaining in the regular season, time is running out for the Mets to reclaim their winning form. Mendoza remains hopeful, assuring fans that the team has the talent to turn things around. “Bottom line, we gotta start playing better,” he emphasized.
As the Mets continue to grapple with their identity as a team, fans are left to wonder if they can overcome this daunting mountain before it’s too late. With the Phillies extending their lead and the Reds breathing down their necks, the urgency for victory has never been greater.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Mets look to regain their footing in the coming games.
