Mets squander home run efforts in chaotic defeat to Padres that ends winning streak

San Diego – Mets Fight Hard

The Mets put up a good fight against the Padres, but ended up facing a tough loss. The chaos on the field potentially overshadowed their efforts, as they lost 7-6 in a dramatic walk-off at Petco Park. This game, which saw a packed crowd, marked the end of their seven-game winning streak.

Frankie Montas and Haskar Brazovan couldn’t hold onto a four-run lead, and it all unraveled within five innings. Ronnie Mauricio hit a huge homer, pushing the Padres to a limit as the game progressed into the ninth inning.

Xander Bogartz made an impression facing the new Met, Gregory Soto. Jose Iglesias, yes, the same Jose Iglesias, made a surprising appearance with a bunt that led to some chaos—Soto’s throw to second base was wild, costing them the bag.

Soto managed to retire two Padres batters and even brought in Iglesias for a run. But then Elias Diaz came through with a clutch single that sealed the game.

The Mets (62-45) had wasted a grand slam from Mark Vientos and a ninth-inning homer from Mauricio, both of which could have turned the tide.

Montas, after 4⅓ innings and giving up five runs, just couldn’t get over the five-inning hump. His struggles became evident as the Padres capitalized in that pivotal five-run frame.

Montas fell apart during that inning after Vientos took his turn at bat and knocked a go-ahead grand slam. Following a double from Fernando Tatis Jr., Luis Arez sent a shot that bounced off the right field pole for a two-run homer. Things went further south from there; Manny Machado singled Bogartz before hitting a double into the left-field corner, with Brazovan struggling to contain the chaos.

After Gavin Sheets’ foul-out, Jake Cronenworth managed to squeeze in an infield single that slid by Pete Alonso, which added another run. Bryce Johnson then grounded an RBI single to tie it up, only for Diaz to follow up with a hit to give the Padres the lead.

After a few starts, Montas still hasn’t gone six innings—only David Peterson reached that mark recently, and Montas has a 5.46 ERA to show for it.

Brazovan has been solid in his outings, but the Mets’ bullpen is really feeling the strain and could use some help. Rico Garcia and Ryne Stanek combined to pitch three scoreless innings, but the Mets couldn’t capitalize on opportunities against the Padres’ bullpen.

It was a lively game this July.

A scary moment occurred in the third inning when Francisco Lindor took a ball to the head. Thankfully, after being checked out, he continued playing.

Juan Soto was visibly upset with a called strike, prompting an intense exchange with plate umpire Jimenez that needed to be broken up.

Vientos hit a fly ball that, while impressive, didn’t quite make it out of the park as Tatis pulled off a leaping catch.

In a moment that drew comparisons to a prior playoff game, Vientos responded to a deliberate walk to McNeill by smashing a grand slam into the right field.

Vientos is clearly trying to prove he belongs on this roster, while discussions about the pitching staff’s strategy as the deadline approaches continue to swirl.