The New York Mets slugged three home runs, but costly defensive mistakes and late-inning bullpen troubles led to a 7-4 road loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Saturday night. The defeat extended New York’s skid to six straight and 10 of its last 11.
Reed Garrett opened with a clean first inning before turning the ball over to Frankie Montas, who ran into trouble in the second. A Francisco Lindor misplay with the bases loaded allowed two runs to score, and Montas lasted just three innings, giving up three runs (one earned) on three hits, including a homer.
Pete Alonso tied Darryl Strawberry’s franchise record with his 252nd career home run, a towering 413-foot shot in the second. Starling Marte followed with his second homer in as many games, and Juan Soto added his 28th of the year in the fifth. Cedric Mullins chipped in an RBI single as the Mets built a mid-game lead.
But the bullpen couldn’t protect it. After Gregory Soto and Tyler Rogers each posted scoreless frames, Ryne Stanek gave up the tying run in the seventh. Ryan Helsley entered, and after a Ronny Mauricio error brought home the go-ahead run, a pitch-clock violation extended the inning. On the next pitch, William Contreras launched a three-run home run, sealing Milwaukee’s eighth straight win.
The Mets were shut down over the final two innings, striking out five times in that span.
New York will try to avoid being swept by the Brewers on Sunday at 1:40 p.m. when Sean Manaea faces Quinn Priester.
Kyle leads sports coverage and hosts the Concrete Jungle podcast. Have a lead or question? Send it to [email protected].