UPDATE: The New York Mets’ struggles reached a new low as they suffered an agonizing 11-9 defeat to the Seattle Mariners on July 14, 2023, at Citi Field. This loss marks their 14th in 16 games, leaving fans and players alike reeling as the team slips six games behind the first-place Philadelphia Phillies in the National League East.
In a game that saw the Mets blow a 6-4 lead, the frustrations boiled over as the bullpen faltered once more, allowing the Mariners to score seven runs over the final three innings. Despite a strong start from pitcher Kodai Senga, who pitched 5 2/3 innings of good baseball, his efforts were wasted when the Mets’ newly acquired reliever Ryan Helsley failed to hold onto the lead.
“It’s hard to describe, especially with how much talent and elite arms we got back there,”
stated Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, echoing the sentiments of a frustrated fanbase.
The Mets once held the best record in baseball at 45-24 through June 12, but have since plummeted to a dismal 19-34 record, the second-worst in the majors during that span. Only the struggling Washington Nationals have performed worse.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor articulated the team’s plight, saying, “You got to climb the mountain, and right now we’re in a very steep part of it.” The Mets are now just a half-game ahead of the Cincinnati Reds for the final NL wild card spot, heightening the urgency for a turnaround.
The Mets have struggled with various issues, including an ineffective offense and critical pitching failures. In the most recent game, after a promising lead, they allowed five runs in a single inning, showcasing their ongoing struggles. Veteran pitcher Brooks Raley lamented, “Score nine against a team like that, you probably should win the game. I was part of the problem and didn’t get it done.”
With only 40 games remaining in the regular season, the pressure intensifies. Mendoza insists that the talent on the roster is more than capable of reversing their fortunes, but time is running out as the Phillies extend their lead.
As the Mets prepare for their next game, the burning question remains: can they finally break this downward spiral? Fans are desperate for answers as the team must find a way to reclaim their season before it slips entirely out of reach.
Stay tuned for further updates as the Mets seek to regain their footing and avoid a historic collapse.
