Mets Suffer Crushing Defeats in Doubleheader Against Braves
NEW YORK — The New York Mets were dealt a devastating blow on Saturday as they dropped both games of a doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves. With the losses, the Mets now find themselves 3 games further behind the Braves in the race for the National League East division title.
Originally scheduled as the final two games of April before being postponed due to rain, the mid-August doubleheader was seen as an opportunity for the Mets to close the gap on the Braves. However, circumstances have dramatically changed since then, and the series at Citi Field served as a stark reminder of the disparity between the two teams.
The first game of the doubleheader was an absolute demolition, with the Braves pummeling the Mets 21-3. Things didn’t improve in the second game either, as the Mets failed to score a single run and fell 6-0.
The scores of the games tell the tale of the Mets’ struggles. In the first game, the Braves managed to score 8 runs off position player Danny Mendick in the ninth inning alone. In the second game, the Mets’ defensive errors allowed the Braves to rally for 3 runs in the eighth inning. The Mets’ archrivals have now outscored them 34-3 over the course of the first three games of the series, marking the largest run differential over a three-game stretch in franchise history.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor acknowledged the difficulty of the losses, saying, “When you lose, it’s tough. When you lose two in one day, it makes it even tougher. The emotions, they kind of double, they quadruple.”
The Mets had high hopes of competing with the Braves for NL East supremacy, but their season took a turn for the worse in June. A losing streak against the Braves in Atlanta, similar to the one that knocked them out of first place last season, accelerated the Mets’ decline. Despite having ample time to recover, the Mets failed to turn things around, prompting them to sell key players before the Trade Deadline.
Now, the Mets and Braves couldn’t be more mismatched. The teams’ lineups reflect the disparity, with the Mets fielding five players in their Game 1 starting lineup who were in the Minors at the start of the season, while the Braves had five players who were on the NL All-Star team.
While the Mets’ sell-off was a strategic decision for the future, Saturday’s performance was still painful for a team that has only won 2 out of their last 12 games this month. Lindor lamented, “The lows have been longer than the highs.”
What makes matters worse for the Mets is that they can’t even play the role of spoiler against a Braves team that has almost certainly secured its sixth consecutive NL East title. The Mets have a woeful 1-8 record against Atlanta this season and, with only four head-to-head games remaining, they are once again guaranteed a losing record against their division rivals.
Saturday’s game at Citi Field was marked by boos from the crowd, directed at various Mets players. Lindor, who had an 0-for-4 performance in the only game he played, was among those heavily criticized. Even designated hitter Daniel Vogelbach, who hit a home run to drive in the Mets’ only runs, has become a symbol of dysfunction within the team.
The Mets’ pitching staff was not spared from the fans’ ire either, as relievers and Mendick faced harsh criticism. The only bright spot for the Mets was José Quintana, who pitched six strong innings in the nightcap.
First baseman Pete Alonso’s frustration was evident as he struck out in the eighth inning of Game 2, returning to the dugout and repeatedly slamming his helmet into the bench.
Despite the team’s struggles, Lindor emphasized the importance of staying positive, saying, “It’s hard to stay positive in moments like this. It’s very hard. But you’ve got to stay optimistic and understand that there’s something you can get out of this every single day that you come to the field.”
The remainder of the season looks bleak for the Mets, who now face an uphill battle to salvage any hopes of playoff contention. As for the Braves, their dominance over their division rivals continues, leaving little doubt about their status as NL East favorites.