The New York Mets went into the weekend trying to snap a seven-game losing streak, but the nightmare continued. On Saturday, at Citi Field, they blew another lead and ended up losing 3-2 to the Texas Rangers, their eighth consecutive loss, the worst mark for the team since 2018.
Brandon Sproat, brilliant but unrewarded
Rookie Brandon Sproat, 24, made his second MLB start and again showed his potential. In six innings, he allowed just three hits and struck out three opponents, retiring with a 2-0 lead. However, manager Carlos Mendoza decided to take him off the mound after just 70 pitches, a decision that changed the course of the game. The bullpen could not hold the lead, and All-Star closer Edwin Diaz ended up allowing the winning run in the ninth inning.
Mendoza in the spotlight
Mendoza’s management angered fans, who flooded social media calling for his immediate dismissal. “Fire Mendoza now!” was the most repeated cry on X. Some even called him “the worst manager in Mets history,” remembering that this is the third streak of seven consecutive losses under his command and accusing him of squandering the playoff opportunity with poor decisions.
After the game, Mendoza explained that he pulled Sproat due to a drop in his velocity, to avoid putting his health at risk. The youngster has already pitched 121 innings between Triple-A and MLB this year, the heaviest workload of his career. “I didn’t want to put pressure on the rookie in those circumstances,” the strategist explained. The intention was to protect the arm of his prospect, although the decision ended up costing the team dearly at a critical moment.
A crisis that exposes management
Beyond the controversy, the underlying problem points to planning. Injuries and poor performance forced the Mets to turn to rookies such as Sproat, Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong to fill holes in the rotation. With no reliable reinforcements on the market, general manager David Stearns has been singled out as responsible for a roster without enough depth to sustain the season.
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