The Mets concluded the first half of their 2025 season with a 3-2 defeat to the Kansas City Royals, losing on a walk-off single by Nick Loftin after managing to tie the game earlier in the inning. With a 55-42 record, they are half a game behind the 55-41 Philadelphia Phillies, who defeated the San Diego Padres 2-1, for first place in the National League East as they enter the all-star break.
The Mets were shut out for eight innings, trailing 2-0, before rallying to tie against all-star closer Carlos Estevez. Ronny Mauricio hit a double to start the 9th, followed by Jeff McNeil’s pinch-hit RBI triple on a fly ball missed by center fielder Kyle Isbel. Brett Baty, pinch-hitting for Luis Torrens, grounded out, but Jared Young, pinch-hitting for Luisangel Acuna, tied the game with a sacrifice fly.
Following starter Clay Holmes, Sean Manaea impressed in his first 2025 appearance but took the loss after giving up Loftin’s walk-off single, following a one-out single to Michael Tolbert, who stole second. Manaea allowed one run over 3.1 innings, with 66 pitches, five hits, and seven strikeouts, matching a career high with five consecutive strikeouts. Manaea, who re-signed with the Mets on a three-year, $75 million deal after a strong 2024 season, faced delays this season due to an oblique strain and elbow issues.
“Being back felt really good. My fastball and slider were solid, and it feels great to be healthy,” Manaea stated. “Losing sucks, but I’m glad to be back on the mound healthy.” Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza said Loftin would be Manaea’s last batter due to a 60-65 pitch count. Mendoza praised Manaea’s performance, saying, “He was dominant.”
Though Manaea hadn’t pitched in the majors since the 2024 NLCS, Mendoza felt he resumed where he left off, noting, “[He was] the typical Sean Manaea. The fastball was effective at the top of the zone. The sweep was excellent, just like in 2024.”
Clay Holmes pitched five innings, allowing two runs and five hits, with two strikeouts, one walk, and one hit batter, keeping Royals’ star Bobby Witt Jr. in check with two double-play grounders. John Rave’s two-run double in the second inning was the Royals’ sole offense. Catcher Luis Torrens contributed by throwing Rave out trying to steal third. Holmes retired 11 of the next 14 batters after Rave’s double.
Royals rookie pitcher Noah Cameron kept the Mets’ bats quiet, tying a career high with eight strikeouts over 6.2 scoreless innings, lowering his ERA to 2.31 despite allowing seven hits and two walks. The Mets missed early chances; Mark Vientos’ first-inning one-out triple went unrewarded, with Juan Soto grounding out weakly, Pete Alonso being intentionally walked, and Brandon Nimmo fouling out.
The Mets struggled with runners in scoring position, going 1-7 and leaving eight on base. McNeil’s 9th-inning triple was the only hit with a runner in scoring position, and despite getting the leadoff man on in four of Cameron’s innings, they couldn’t score against him. Entering Sunday with a .230 average in these situations, the team trails most in the majors. Mendoza attributes this to inconsistency: “We’ve had tough stretches but also times when the offense clicked. It’s seasonal. Our hitters are good; we must adapt.”
This loss marks the ninth consecutive time the Mets lost their final game before the all-star break, with their last such win in 2015. Though Francisco Lindor, Pete Alonso, Edwin Diaz, and David Peterson will partake in the 2025 All-Star Game festivities in Atlanta, the Mets face losing a key reliever for the season. Before Sunday’s game, Mendoza announced reliever Max Kranick will consult Dr. Keith Meister during the break, considering Tommy John surgery after having it in 2022.
Kranick, placed on the injured list with a flexor strain on June 19, seemed likely to avoid surgery initially. However, it now appears necessary. In 24 games this season, Kranick was 3-2, with a 3.65 ERA, 1.054 WHIP, 25 strikeouts, and five walks over 37 innings. This news follows the Mets’ announcement of reliever Dedniel Núñez undergoing Tommy John surgery again.
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