Mets Struggle Before All-Star Break

The Mets are heading into the All-Star break looking much like they have all season.

In their recent matchup against the Red Sox, a routine double play didn’t quite secure a victory. Instead, they briefly held a two-run lead but ultimately faced a tough loss, marking their third in a row.

During the 10th inning, Brooks Lally gave up a sacrifice fly to Anthony Siegler, sealing the Mets’ fate as they struggled to score in the bottom of the inning.

The 3-2 defeat at Citi Field capped off a successful run for the rapidly improving Red Sox, who secured their ninth consecutive win.

Francisco Lindor, who had knocked in two runs early on, couldn’t save the Mets in the crucial ninth inning.

After a strong seven innings from rookie lefty Zach Thornton and a solid inning from Luke Weaver, the Mets appeared to be in control until Devin Williams took the mound.

With one out and Sedanne Rafaela on first base, Williams was almost out of the jam, but Romy González grounded out and Lindor’s error prolonged the inning.

Williams walked Caleb Durbin, who then advanced Andrew Monasterio to the winning run.

Jalen Duran tied the game with a single to right field, putting the Mets on edge. Just when it felt like the team’s composure was slipping, Williams managed to get pinch hitter Masanao Yoshida to double off, and Zach Short hit a double to leave the score tied.

However, Larry still couldn’t keep free runners from scoring, as pinch hitter Jorge Polanco struck out to kick off the 10th, followed by Brett Batty, and the game ended with Bo Bichette grounding out.

This loss felt particularly heavy given Thornton’s impressive performance.

In just his third MLB start, he dominated the Red Sox and held them to a no-hitter until the fifth inning.

The 24-year-old pitched a solid seven shutout innings before handing it over to Weaver in the eighth.

Lindor contributed with an RBI double in the first inning and also hit a home run in the sixth.

Thornton, who had previously allowed just one run in six innings against the Phillies, was called up from Triple-A Syracuse to finish out the first half, further proving his capabilities against Boston.

He gave up only two hits and two walks, using just 82 pitches over his seven innings.

With the Mets in urgent need of starting pitching, Thornton’s recent form could be crucial, especially considering Freddy Peralta might be traded before the deadline on August 3.

Kouhiro Chiga is out of the rotation, Clay Holmes remains sidelined with a fractured fibula, and Tobias Myers was optioned back to Syracuse.

This may leave Nolan McLean, Christian Scott, and Sean Manaea to lead the rotation in the final stretch of the season.