QUEENS, NY — The Mets’ disappointing loss to the Cleveland Guardians on Monday night was a collective effort, albeit not the positive kind. After missing an opportunity to win with a bases-loaded situation in the ninth inning, the Mets (63-50) were let down by their defense. Brett Baty’s throwing error led to a two-run 10th inning that allowed the Guardians to secure a 7-6 victory in their series opener at Citi Field.
With ghost runner Daniel Schneeman on second and Jose Ramirez intentionally walked to set up a force, David Fry’s bunt off reliever Ryan Helsley went to Baty at third. Baty’s wide throw to second glanced off Francisco Lindor’s glove, allowing Schneeman to score.
Gabriel Arias added an important insurance run for Cleveland with a sacrifice fly.
Baty narrowed the gap by singling home ghost runner Jeff McNeil in the 10th, bringing the Mets within one run with two outs, but Luis Torrens flied out to end the game.
Mets star closer Edwin Diaz kept the game alive by escaping a no-out jam after Brayan Rocchio advanced to third on a single, stolen base, and a throwing error by catcher Francisco Alvarez. Diaz recovered by striking out Kyle Manzardo, inducing a pop-up from Steven Kwan, and striking out Schneeman.
The Mets had a chance to win in the ninth with a single from Alvarez, a double from Lindor, and an intentional walk to Juan Soto loading the bases with one out. Pete Alonso, who drove in four runs and hit his 251st career home run to come within one of the franchise record, struck out, followed by McNeil lining out.
Alonso’s efforts helped overturn a 5-0 sixth-inning deficit, driving in the Mets’ first four runs, including a three-run homer in the sixth and an RBI single in the eighth. His hit in the eighth followed singles by Lindor and Soto, and a sacrifice fly by Mark Vientos tied the game.
Even Sean Manaea couldn’t end the Mets’ pitching struggles. No Mets starter besides David Peterson has completed six innings since June 7. Manaea was strong over five innings but allowed five runs in the sixth before being pulled.
The Mets managed just three hits in the first four innings against Cleveland’s Slade Cecconi. Cedric Mullins reached second in the fifth with no outs but was stranded as Ronny Mauricio lined out, Alvarez flied out, and Brandon Nimmo struck out.
The Guardians broke through in the sixth as Manaea allowed a lead-off single to Kwan and hit Angel Martinez. David Fry and Carlos Santana followed with RBI singles. Arias widened the lead with his eighth home run of the season.
The Guardians’ sloppy play gave the Mets a chance to rally. Cecconi struck out Lindor, but a passed ball allowed him to reach first. Soto hit what seemed a double-play ball, but it got past Rocchio. Alonso then hit a first-pitch sinker over the fence, bringing the Mets within two and himself within one of tying the team home run record.
In the eighth, with Alonso on third and one out, Mullins’ grounder was snagged by a diving Rocchio to maintain the tie.
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