The Mets made a bold move by letting go of Carlos Mendoza and hiring Andy Green, hoping to inject some energy into a struggling team.
For parts of Saturday’s game, Citi Field had an eerie, somber vibe. However, as the game progressed, some exciting hits hinted at renewed life in the team.
While it wasn’t a complete turnaround, the Mets showed a flicker of determination, managing enough runs to claim a victory.
A pivotal sixth inning saw key hits from Francisco Lindor and AJ Ewing, turning a two-run deficit into a 6-2 win against the Phillies. A crowd of 37,338 braved a 70-minute rain delay to witness Green’s first win as interim manager and break a seven-game losing streak.
It’s probably premature to say that the changes will radically revamp the Mets’ atmosphere, especially with a potential team sale looming as the trade deadline approaches. But, any sign of life would certainly be refreshing for both the players and the fans eager for a competitive August and September.
“We know we have a mountain to climb,” Christian Scott remarked after pitching 4 1/3 innings and allowing two runs with six strikeouts. “But we can only tackle it one step at a time.”
The Mets (35-48) will need more performances like Saturday’s to overcome substantial odds. Initially, they appeared slow and uninspired, with the audience seemingly more apathetic than frustrated during a slew of strikeouts. However, they erupted for six runs in the sixth and seventh innings.
Through five innings, they had managed only three runners on base against pitchers Tim Meza and Alan Rangel. Then, in the sixth, a wave of six consecutive hitters reached base.
The rally kicked off with a single from Juan Soto, followed by Bo Bichette’s hit that placed runners at the corners. Lindor, back after a two-month absence, delivered a triple that evaded Bryce Harper’s glove, tying the game and igniting some enthusiasm for the first time in days.
Following walks from Jared Young and Mark Vientos, Ewing hit a two-run homer over center field. The Mets sealed their victory one inning later with another triple and a sacrifice fly from Bichette.
Lindor and Soto contributed in just their 11th game together this season—the sort of output Green hopes for regularly. It’s a glimpse of their capabilities after injuries hindered the Mets’ lineup.
Lindor explained that the struggles were more tied to injuries than any trade moves or front office decisions. “I think Stearns kept us together, but we just haven’t clicked as a team,” he added, reflecting after his 27th game alongside Soto, who’s played 64.
That day, the team prevailed mainly because the offense sprang to life, combined with Scott’s solid start, which included allowing just a two-run homer. The bullpen also stepped up, effectively shutting down opponents.
Scott’s first outing since returning from the injured list saw him toss 82 pitches, with Green deploying four relief pitchers to cover 4 1/3 innings without conceding a run. One notable moment involved Harper, who was trying to stretch a single into a double but got caught.
Minter had a standout performance, marking his longest appearance since October 2021 by entering the game in the fifth with runners on base and closing out strong, including striking out Harper and others.
“What Minter did today was impressive,” Green commented on the left-hander, who hasn’t allowed an earned run since early April 2025.
As for winning streaks, Weaver also stood out in the eighth inning, extending his scoreless innings streak to 23.
“I think a lot of guys did a lot of really good things today,” Green remarked about the team’s performance.
