​NEW YORK (AP) — The Mets entered the season with lofty promises and a payroll to match, only to slide into the All-Star break after posting their worst first half in 31 years. The latest setback came Sunday when a misplayed potential game-ending grounder by shortstop Francisco Lindor led to a New York error that sparked Boston’s comeback in a 3-2, 10-inning victory over the Mets. The loss marked the Mets’ 16th defeat in 22 games and left them at 40-57, their worst mark since falling 17 games below .500. They haven’t stood 17 under the break since 1995, when a delayed start caused by the players’ strike left them 25-44 at the all-star break, and they’re now 17 games under at the break in a full season for the first time since 1993, when they began 27-60 and finished 59-103.
Interim manager Andy Green acknowledged the tough reality and urged a sharper approach after the break. “I think everybody understands what needs to happen going into the second half,” Green said, noting his record of 6-10 since taking over for Carlos Mendoza on June 26. “There’s cleaner, better baseball for us to play. We all bear a measure of responsibility for it. This organization, the fan base, deserve better baseball.”
New York squandered seven scoreless innings from rookie Zach Thompson and contributed two RBIs from Lindor in what was just his second two-hit game since returning from the injured list. The team’s front office has signaled a shift toward run prevention and a more resourceful offense, even as it traded away Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil, while watching Pete Alonso, the franchise’s home run leader, and closer Edwin Díaz depart as free agents.
The Mets rank 12th in the National League with 398 runs and have often fielded a less-than-ideal lineup. Since opening day, Lindor, Francisco Álvarez, Jorge Polanco, Marcus Semien and Luis Robert Jr. have combined to miss 259 games. New York’s lone All-Star, Juan Soto, was sidelined for 15 games with a left quadriceps strain in April. Bo Bichette, signed in January to handle third base, has hit .255—39 points below his career average entering the season—and started the first 94 games before being moved to pinch-hitting duties this weekend due to leg soreness.
Pitching has also been a drag, with Mets hurlers posting a 4.27 ERA, a full quarter of a run higher than last year’s 4.03. Opening day starter Freddy Peralta, acquired from Milwaukee in a January trade, owns a career-worst 4.66 ERA, and Devin Williams blew a save for the second time in a week, sporting a 4.83 ERA.
“I haven’t had a lot of fun,” Williams admitted. “Not a lot of celebrating going on in this clubhouse right now.”
New York now sits 12 games behind the last NL wild-card spot and will open the second half with 19 consecutive games against clubs currently in playoff position. “Unacceptable,” Lindor said, batting .216 with a .671 OPS in 40 games. “Just makes us want to fight harder. At the end of the day, that’s all we can do. We’re going to try to be better. We’re going to play for better.”