Angels vs. Mets: A Controversial Call at First Base

In a rather unusual turn of events during Sunday’s game between the Los Angeles Angels and the New York Mets, a contentious first base call emerged. It was a moment that had many scratching their heads.

Mets outfielder Juan Soto hit a grounder towards first base, but the ball became caught in the glove of Nolan Chanuel, the fielder. This unexpected snag created a bit of a dilemma.

Chanuel had intended to execute a double play but, realizing he couldn’t retrieve the ball, hurriedly decided to throw it to first base. That way, at least Soto would be forced out. However, as Soto came down the line, he oddly managed to push the ball along, while Chanuel flipped his glove over to try and shake it loose. The ball remained lodged, and he ultimately tossed it to pitcher Jack Kochanovich, covering first base. The game was tense, and despite the chaos just moments into the top of the third inning, the umpires declared Soto out.

Even Soto felt he had made it safely. From the Mets dugout, teammates were vocal, indicating that Kochanovic hadn’t fully controlled Chanuel’s glove. They pointed out Soto’s glove was visibly wobbling as he crossed the bag.

You might think Mets manager Carlos Mendoza would challenge the call, especially given prior experiences, but he opted not to. This was particularly interesting considering the previous night’s game, when Mendoza faced criticism for not contesting a call in a tight 4-3 loss against the Angels. The game’s outcome might have been altered if he had, as that was when the Angels scored the crucial point.

Earlier in the first inning, Joe Adell knocked a hit into right-center field, with Mets right fielder Austin Slater making a strong throw to third base. There, Bo Bichette tagged out Jorge Soler before the Angels scored. Yet, Mendoza didn’t challenge this call either, which could have changed things for the Mets.

After the game, when questioned about his choice not to challenge, Mendoza admitted he missed the opportunity. “I called the replay room and it seems they also missed it,” he said. “When you lose by one, it’s a tough pill to swallow.” He reflected on missed chances, saying, “We had opportunities, but, well, we didn’t capitalize.”

Luckily for the Mets, this oversight didn’t impact their overall performance. They managed to defeat the Angels 5-1, lifting their season record to 12-22.

The 2026 season hasn’t unfolded as many hoped for the Mets, who were anticipated to be playoff contenders. Instead, they’ve recently endured a tough 12-game losing streak and are now scrambling to regain their footing.

In summary, if the Mets aim to turn the tide in their favor, they’ll need to make plays that don’t just slip by unnoticed. It’s about seizing those moments.