In sequence after missing the playoffs last year, then completing an offseason roster overhaul in the winter and now emerging as the worst team in baseball, the New York Mets hit a new low on Sunday.
The team suffered a sweep at the hands of the Chicago Cubs to mark its 11th straight loss.
The Mets looked ready to break their losing streak when two-time National League Reliever of the Year Devin Williams took the mound with a lead in the ninth inning. But he recorded his first blown save of the season and the Cubs won in extra innings.
“It’s tough, especially when you’re going through it,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza, who suddenly appears to be in the hot seat, told reporters after the game, according to The Athletic’s Tim Britton. “When you’re playing one-run games, you have to be perfect, and it’s hard to play like that. It’s a tough stretch right now.”
New York Mets Hit Season Low After Devin Williams Blows Chicago Cubs Save
The Mets signed Williams amid a flurry of moves in the offseason, bringing him in after a career-worst campaign with the New York Yankees in a decision that reportedly bothered former All-Star closer Edwin Diaz. Diaz joined the Los Angeles Dodgers shortly thereafter and Williams has struggled to a 7.11 ERA with 10 hits allowed in seven games for the Mets so far.
“In his previous appearance Williams recorded only one out and allowed four earned runs on three hits and one walk,” Mike Puma noted for the New York Post after the blown save. “It probably hasn’t helped that his usage has been limited by the scarcity of save situations. Sunday’s appearance was only his third in 14 days.”
New York Mets Superstar Francisco Lindor Sends Juan Soto Message After Chicago Cubs Sweep
After the game, Williams refused to acknowledge the limited usage as an excuse and he blamed a missed location to Cubs pinch hitter Michael Conforto for the blown save. But with Luke Weaver — another Yankees-turned-Mets transplant from the team’s overhaul — also struggling, the Mets seem likely to stick with Williams as their closer for the foreseeable future.
At this point, the Mets best hope for a turnaround seems to lie with the return of franchise slugger Juan Soto, who could be back in the lineup during the team’s upcoming home stand.
Shortstop Francisco Lindor sent a message about the team’s injured superstar after the team lost its 11th consecutive game.
“He is so irreplaceable, and having him back is going to help us a lot,” Lindor said, per Puma. “Hopefully he is back and he’s in the top three hitters in the league, probably the top two. He’s going to help us a ton and lengthen our lineup. But even when he comes we still have got to get it done. It would be unfair to throw everything on him as a team.”
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