While the highly anticipated Mets-Dodgers series wrapped up in a 2-2 split, it was the dramatic finale that stole the spotlight. Well, not a clutch hit or a heroic play from that finale, but a blunder that flipped the game on its head.
For the unversed, the Mets had the win well within reach, controlling the tempo and outplaying the Dodgers through most of the contest. But then, in a twist of the tale, one crucial misplay turned the tables, paving the way for yet another Dodgers comeback. Something you have seen with the Mets quite often this season. The manager Carlos Mendoza has now stepped up to break down exactly what went wrong.
The event occurred in the eighth inning, when the game took a turn for the worse thanks to a miscue by the Mets’ third baseman Brett Baty. While Baty is reliable with the glove, he looked a bit rattled when Dodgers catcher Will Smith got caught in a rundown. In the chaos, he rushed a throw to the plate, and it sailed wide.
Anyone who has followed Baty this season would know this was a rare mistake from him. He has only committed three errors all season while juggling duties at both second and third base. But Mendoza was not letting it pass. “We didn’t make the play,” the manager said in an interview with SNY. “I don’t know if he got confused. Will Smith stopped halfway, trying to get in a rundown. And he arm-faked there… Just didn’t make a routine play.”
“Just didn’t make a routine play there”
Carlos Mendoza talks about what went wrong on Brett Baty’s throw home in the 8th inning, which allowed Will Smith to score as the tying run: pic.twitter.com/8qozsAtXV8
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 5, 2025
It was more of a judgment error than a physical error. Baty thought Smith would not come back to the home plate, but that was the misjudgment. Smith completed the run, and Baty got confused with his throw. “A very, very dumb mistake, and it can’t happen in that situation. Have to give it up early and get him running back to third base. Terrible, terrible play,” the 25-year-old said post-game.
Even the previous game against the Dodgers had exposed the vulnerabilities in the Mets’ offense. It has been a recurring theme this season.
The Mets’ offense is still getting tested
The offense has been a major weak spot for the Mets lately. They’ve struggled to find consistency at the plate, often going cold for long stretches. Key hitters have underperformed, timely hitting has been lacking, and the lineup as a whole just hasn’t clicked.
For the fans, it’s been a tough watch at times, with the team ranking near the bottom of the league in several offensive categories. For a team that came into the season with playoff hopes, the bats simply haven’t backed it up.
Despite having names like Juan Soto, Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, and Mark Vientos, the Mets are ranked #18 in terms of BA (.243)! That sums up their poor offensive show so far. They are ranked 11th in terms of total runs scored (275) as well.
Here, the first name that comes to mind is Juan Soto. The $765 million star came in with high expectations, but until now, he has offered 11 HRs and 31 RBIs, while his contemporaries like Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge have already crossed 20 HRs.
In contrast, Brett Baty has suited up for 45 games so far this season and the lefty-swinging infielder is sporting a .714 OPS. Now, that’s not exactly eye-popping, but still the best of his young career so far.
The Mets are still leading the NL East by a 39-24 record, and postseason hope is still alive. But as the season enters deep, it’s now or never for the team’s offensive unit to go all guns blazing.
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