Mets Drop 12th Straight After Williams’ Ninth-Inning Collapse

The article recaps the New York Mets’ 12th straight loss—a 5-3 defeat to the Minnesota Twins, capped by a bullpen-struggles-continue-in-new-series/”>ninth-inning meltdown from closer Devin Williams. On a day when rookie Nolan McLean spun five perfect innings and Francisco Lindor supplied early fireworks with a three-run homer, the Mets just couldn’t hold on as their slide dragged on.

With this skid now stretching into double digits, the Mets face a real test as they head into tomorrow’s game. They’re desperate to stop the bleeding and salvage something from this ugly stretch.

Early dominance and a spark from Lindor

Rookie right-hander Nolan McLean gave the Mets a bright start, working five perfect innings and striking out 10. He’s now the third Mets pitcher this season to begin a game with five perfect frames twice.

The offense chipped in during the third when Francisco Lindor hammered a three-run homer off Simeon Woods Richardson. That early 3-0 cushion felt like the blueprint the Mets have been searching for, especially with the rookie on the mound dealing like a seasoned pro.

Three-run homer by Francisco Lindor ignites the offense

Lindor’s blast off Woods Richardson put the Mets on top and brought some much-needed energy to a lineup that’s been stuck in neutral. Fans got a glimpse of what this team can do when the bats wake up—even if it’s been rare lately.

The sixth-inning shift and Devin Williams’ collapse

Things turned in the sixth when Byron Buxton answered with a two-run shot off McLean, tying it at 3-3. Suddenly, that smooth path to a win vanished.

The Mets briefly regained the lead in the seventh as Luke Keaschall lined an RBI single. But Williams came on in the ninth and just couldn’t shut the door. McLean exited after another double-digit strikeout game, leaving the bullpen to finish what he started—and that just didn’t happen.

The pressure on the closer role

Williams, who signed a three-year, $45 million deal to take over as closer, had a nightmare in the ninth. He walked three, failed to retire any of the five Twins he faced, and watched two runs cross the plate as the comeback took shape.

That meltdown put the bullpen under a harsh spotlight. Manager Carlos Mendoza and the players insisted they fought hard and prepped the right way, but the timing of these late-game breakdowns just keeps biting them. Every loss feels even heavier with the standings tightening and the clubhouse mood sinking.

Historical context and what it means for the Mets

This 12-game losing streak puts the Mets among just 139 teams in the World Series era to hit such a rough patch. Most of those clubs never really recovered, and the players know it—momentum is slippery and hard to get back once it’s gone.

They keep repeating the mantra: just win one to flip the narrative. But with the bullpen wobbling and the offense sputtering in big moments, the road back looks pretty steep.

What the Mets need to turn this around

• Stability in the bullpen and closer situation so these late-game meltdowns don’t keep happening.
• Offensive spark from the whole lineup—they need clutch hits, not just flashes.
• Consistent starting pitching to set the tone early and keep relievers out of the fire.
• Resilience and routine from everyone, coaches and players alike, to weather this storm and stay focused.

Looking ahead: can a single win reverse the trend?

The Mets head into tomorrow with a new sense of urgency. They’re hoping a fresh start can stop the bleeding and maybe spark a rally.

Williams and the club are banking on a rebound. The players keep saying it: one win could flip the momentum and set a different tone for the rest of the season.

With Mendoza and the roster under pressure, the next game means more than just a box score. It’s a test—of mindset, of preparation, and honestly, of whether all their effort can finally turn into something that lasts.

 
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