The New York Mets suffered yet another defeat, extending their losing streak to six games as they fell to the Baltimore Orioles with a score of 2-0. This loss marked their second consecutive series sweep since the trade deadline selloff, and their downward spiral shows no signs of abating.
Manager Buck Showalter of the Orioles acknowledged the challenges facing the Mets prior to the game, referring to the popular saying, What is it they say? The things that don’t kill you… When informed that the full phrase is make you stronger, Showalter chuckled and questioned whether this would hold true for the struggling Mets.
Taking the field without key players such as Brandon Nimmo, Starling Marte, and Francisco Alvarez, the Mets struggled to generate runs once again. It was their fifth consecutive game in which they failed to score more than three runs. Jose Quintana, the starting pitcher for the Mets, delivered a solid performance by allowing only two runs in six-plus innings. However, he received minimal support from the offense and was hindered by some defensive errors.
The Mets’ struggles were evident from the early stages of the game when Pete Alonso hit into inning-ending double plays in both the first and third innings. Although Quintana faced a challenging situation in the third inning with the bases loaded and two outs, he managed to escape unscathed as Gunnar Henderson popped out to left field, maintaining a scoreless game.
In the fifth inning, the Mets loaded the bases against Orioles pitcher Kyle Bradish with two outs. However, their scoring hopes were dashed when Cionel Perez, who replaced Bradish, induced a groundout from DJ Stewart. The Orioles seized the opportunity to take the lead in the bottom of the fifth when Rafael Ortega misplayed a liner hit by Jorge Mateo into a triple, leading to a run scored on Adley Rutschman’s grounder.
The Mets’ offensive struggles continued throughout the game, resulting in a disappointing four-hit performance. Even the return to Citi Field, the Mets’ home stadium, could not provide the necessary spark following the trade deadline roster changes. As they prepare to face the resurgent Chicago Cubs and division leaders Atlanta Braves in the upcoming series, the Mets find themselves in a challenging position, sinking to a season-worst 11 games under .500.
The Mets must regroup and find a way to turn their fortunes around if they hope to salvage their season. With key players missing from the lineup and a lack of offensive production, it will be crucial for the team to find consistent scoring options. Only time will tell if the Mets can overcome their six-game losing streak and rise from their current slump.
