Mets Suffer Crushing 11-9 Loss to Mariners, Extend Slide to 14 of 16
UPDATE: The New York Mets are reeling after suffering a devastating 11-9 loss to the Seattle Mariners on July 14, 2023, at Citi Field. This defeat marks their 14th loss in 16 games and pushes them six games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East.
Frustration echoed through the stands as fans voiced their discontent, signaling a desperate need for change. Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor expressed the dire situation, stating, “You got to climb the mountain, and right now we’re in a very steep part of it.” The team is dangerously close to falling out of playoff contention, now just a half-game ahead of the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL wild card spot.
The Mets’ stellar start to the season feels like a distant memory. They held the best record in baseball with a 45-24 mark through June 12, but have plummeted to a dismal 19-34 since, ranking as the second-worst team in the majors. Only the Washington Nationals, who have recently undergone significant management changes, have fared worse.
Multiple factors contribute to this alarming slide. The Mets have struggled with an ineffective offense, starting pitcher implosions, and costly defensive errors. Lindor lamented, “It’s tough to point out one thing. We’re not clicking at the same time and the other team is outplaying us.”
Recent games have highlighted a troubling trend: the bullpen, despite recent upgrades from the trade deadline, has faltered spectacularly. On Thursday, the Mets led into the later innings but could not secure the win, with relief pitcher Ryan Helsley blowing a crucial one-run lead.
In Friday’s contest, the Mets held a 6-4 lead through five innings, but the bullpen imploded, allowing seven runs over the next three innings. Helsley, along with fellow reliever Brooks Raley, surrendered pivotal runs that turned the game in favor of the Mariners.
“I haven’t seen anything like this,”
said Raley, reflecting on the team’s struggles. “But I feel like everybody in here is doing everything they can to show up and play hard.” The offense, which scored nine runs, should have been sufficient for victory, but the pitching collapse overshadowed their efforts.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza remains hopeful, asserting that the talent within the team is too significant for this losing streak to persist. “Bottom line, we gotta start playing better,” he said. However, with only 40 games left in the regular season, the clock is ticking.
The Mets’ situation is urgent. As they face the prospect of dropping further behind in the standings, fans and analysts alike are left questioning if this team can turn things around. With the Phillies pulling ahead and the Reds close on their heels, every game is crucial moving forward.
As this situation develops, all eyes will be on the Mets to see if they can reclaim their winning ways and climb out of this deep hole. The pressure is mounting, and time is running out.
