Milwaukee

The Mets have a solid bullpen, but it seems they haven’t had the chance to fully utilize their strengths, especially during trade deadlines when their options have become more robust.

On Saturday evening, manager Carlos Mendoza decided to go all in with the bullpen.

Until, well, things go sideways.

During the seventh inning, Ryan Helsley had a pitch clock infraction that led to a crucial moment. Unfortunately, William Contreras then hit a home run, sealing a 7-4 loss for the Mets against the Brewers at American Family Field.

This defeat marked the Mets’ sixth straight loss, dropping their record to just 1 win in the last 11 games.

Ryne Stanek struggled in the seventh inning, allowing the Brewers to come back from a 4-3 deficit. A misplay at third base clouded the situation, as Helsley seemed poised to retire Contreras but couldn’t make the play. The plate umpire, Ryan Additon, ruled that the pitch clock had expired, letting Contreras hit a two-run homer shortly afterward.

It all went downhill from there. Stanek’s troubles continued in the seventh; Bryce Tarlan started with a single, and Joey Ortiz followed up with a double, putting runners at second and third. Sal Freric hit a grounder to Lindor, but with the infield pulled in, Lindor had to settle for just one out at first, allowing the Brewers to tie it 4-4. Isaac Collins then got hit, which brought in the go-ahead run.

On the brighter side for the Mets, Pete Alonso hit his 252nd career home run, tying him with Daryl Strawberry for the all-time franchise record. Sterling Marte and Juan Soto also contributed to the offense.

Montas, following opener Reid Garrett, lasted three innings, throwing 72 pitches while giving up three hits and striking out two batters. He allowed three runs (two of which felt a bit unlucky) on two walks. Gregory Soto and Tyler Rogers managed to keep it scoreless in their innings before that chaotic seventh.

Alonso’s powerful hit to left-center was notable, as it registered as his fourth home run in just eight games and brought his season total to 26. Previously, he had hit rounds 242 and 243 on June 8 in Colorado, officially surpassing David Wright for second place on the franchise’s all-time list.

However, a fielding error by Lindor let the Brewers gain two unearned runs. Montas walked Ortiz, loading the bases before a grounder deflected off Lindor, which allowed two runs to score.

Marte managed to tie the game with his second home run in as many games, hitting a four-seamer from Tobias Meyers over the right-field fence.

The Mets took a brief lead, 3-2, thanks to an RBI single by Cedric Mullins following a double by Jeff McNeill. But a double play ended that inning prematurely for the Mets, and the Brewers answered back with Tarlan’s second homer in two games, leveling the score again at 3-3.

Soto then reclaimed a brief lead in the fifth with his 28th home run of the season, marking his third home run in as many games, a performance that included a notable game against Cleveland just days prior.