Mets’ failure to stage late comebacks leaves Carlos Mendoza confused

Cincinnati – A Missed Opportunity for the Mets

Maybe this was the type of rally that the Mets just couldn’t manage during the first eight innings. Or perhaps it was a moment they struggled to create all season long.

Juan Soto hit a one-out solo home run, narrowing the gap to one run. Pete Alonso reached on an error, and Louis Sangel Acknya dove into the game as a pinch runner. Then, Brandon Nimmo got a single, putting him in the position for what could have been a significant comeback.

Unfortunately, this is the sort of rally that’s become all too familiar for the club this year. On Sunday, Sterling Marte ultimately grounded into a game-ending double play, marking a tough finish to a game they loomed behind in after eight innings.

What ever happened to that spark of magic?

“It’s hard to explain with the kind of hitters we have,” said coach Carlos Mendoza, trying to rationalize the absence of late-game comebacks. “You’d think we should be able to capitalize on some bullpen weaknesses. But I’m sure we’ll figure it out. We’ve got too much talent not to.”

Last season, the Mets built a reputation for their late-game heroics, turning the tide in matches they previously seemed to have lost. They ended up with an impressive record of 8-60 in games trailing after eight innings. That victory in Atlanta on the final day of the regular season included a ninth comeback, highlighted by a two-run home run from Francis Collinder.

The offense has been improving, as the Mets have been generating solid hits and scoring well this season.

“We’re putting runners on base, but we haven’t had those big late-game hits lately,” the team noted, especially after they were outperformed by Hunter Greene early on in the game.

In the second inning, Jeff McNeill’s groundout capped off a less-than-stellar performance. Greene had a smooth inning and was again mentioned for striking out Brett Baty, who hit a home run earlier.

As the seventh inning rolled in, Rudolph Green allowed a walk to Pete Alonso, which was notable. With his pitch count climbing into the late 90s, Greene used his blazing fastball—reaching nearly 100 mph—to keep the Mets off balance.

“His fastball is really something special, but when he can land that slider for a strike, it makes it difficult,” Mendoza commented about Greene. “You’re going to be in tough spots against him.”