The New York Mets' difficult season took another turn Saturday night as they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers 4-3, marking their fourth loss in the last five games. The defeat dropped the Mets to a season-low 19 games below .500, with only the Colorado Rockies holding a worse record in the National League.
Dodgers fans, sounding much like they were at Chavez Ravine, filled Citi Field as their team, owners of the best record in baseball, secured another victory. The Mets' struggles were compounded by the news that outfielder Juan Soto will be sidelined for at least a month with a strained left calf, adding to the anticipation of a potential sell-off ahead of the Aug. 3 trade deadline.
Mets pitcher Nolan McLean was hampered by defensive lapses during the game. A throwing error by Brett Baty and a passed ball by catcher Francisco Alvarez contributed to a three-run third inning for the Dodgers. Kyle Tucker hit a leadoff home run in the third inning, his second in as many days. Later in the same frame, Baty's errant throw allowed a runner to reach first and third, and Alvarez's passed ball allowed Andy Pages to score the Dodgers' third run.
Mets batters struggled to generate offense against Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who earned his 11th win of the season. Yamamoto pitched six innings, allowing only one earned run, and held the Mets to 1-for-7 with runners in scoring position. McLean completed six innings for his seventh consecutive start, surrendering two earned runs, striking out seven, walking two, and allowing seven hits.
The Mets showed a brief spark in the eighth inning when Tyrone Taylor hit a two-run pinch-hit double to bring them within a run. However, A.J. Ewing struck out to end the inning, and the Mets went down in order in the ninth, unable to complete the comeback.
The atmosphere at Citi Field reflected the team's performance, with chants of “Let’s go Dodgers” heard throughout the game, a contrast to the previous night when fans had booed similar chants. The Mets' season continues to unravel as they head towards the trade deadline with a losing record.