Juan Soto and Brandon Sproat Shine, but Mets Let Late Lead Slip vs. Rangers
The Mets may have extended their cold streak to eight following the 3-2 loss to the Rangers on Saturday, but Brandon Sproat, in his home debut, turned a sold-out ballpark into his stage—six scoreless innings, only 70 pitches, and a poise beyond his 24 years.
Six shutout frames for @BrandonSproat 👏 pic.twitter.com/JuScNpoSJS
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 13, 2025
The rookie attacked Texas’ lineup by effectively deploying his whole arsenal of pitches, leaning on a running four-seamer that ate up right-handed bats, while sprinkling in sweepers and sinkers that stayed just off the barrel. No walks, three strikeouts, and an ERA that now sits at 2.25 through two big-league starts.
The only thing sharper than his command was his efficiency. He left the mound with the Mets in control, and looking like the arm that could steady things in September.
Soto Makes History
Francisco Lindor manufactured the game’s first run the old-fashioned way: a beautiful bunt single, gunned first-to-third on Pete Alonso’s bloop, then a mad dash home that forced a throwing error.
It was the spark this team needed.
WHAT BASERUNNING BY FRANCISCO LINDOR!
The Mets take the lead! pic.twitter.com/ZoxBpJ01M8
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 13, 2025
Two innings later, Juan Soto gave the Mets breathing room with a moonshot into the upper deck in right. His 40th home run of the season cemented him as the first player in Mets history with a 40/30 season.
WAY OUTTA HERE!@JuanSoto25_ | #LGM pic.twitter.com/EntdFd7mov
— New York Mets (@Mets) September 13, 2025
Only Barry Bonds and Jeff Bagwell had ever paired 40 HR, 30 SB, and 100 walks in a year before Soto.
40+ HR, 30+ SB & 115+ walks in a season, MLB history:
2025 Juan Soto
1999, ‘97 Jeff Bagwell
1996-97 Barry Bonds https://t.co/q9e8qb5JHw— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 13, 2025
Now, that list includes a Met. But Soto didn’t linger on the milestone. Postgame, his message was bigger amid New York’s skid:
“We’ve got everything we need in this room. The ball just isn’t bouncing our way right now. We keep grinding, we’re going to turn this around.”
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) September 13, 2025
Mistakes Add up Late
For seven innings, the Mets had the defending champs right where they wanted them. Then, the cracks appeared.
A catcher’s interference call on Francisco Alvarez gave Texas its opening in the eighth.
A double down the line and a sacrifice fly made it 2-1. With two outs, Carlos Mendoza called on Edwin Díaz for a four-out save. Díaz hung a slider, Rowdy Tellez laced it, and the Rangers tied the game. An inning later, a sharp liner off Lindor’s glove—ruled a hit, but one the shortstop admitted he should’ve caught—flipped it. Wyatt Langford cashed it in with a two-out single off Díaz. Just like that, the Mets were down 3-2.
Adding to the frustration, Brett Baty was picked off second base earlier in the game, his second costly mistake on the bases this week. In a one-run loss, those miscues loomed large.
Big Picture
After Friday night’s return of Jacob deGrom—where Jonah Tong’s rough first inning left Citi Field deflated before the ovation could even build—Saturday felt like a reset. The Alumni Classic drew a big crowd, the rookie Sproat had fans on their feet, and Soto’s knock reinvigorated the feeling of hope in the building.
For most of the day, it felt like the Mets were about to flip the page. Instead, the bullpen faltered, the mistakes piled up, and the streak stretched. Manager Carlos Mendoza didn’t sugarcoat it: “Fundamentally, we’re not playing good baseball. We’ve got to get going, fast.”
“We’ve got to get going here fast.”
– Carlos Mendoza pic.twitter.com/VpRjr24Knh
— SNY (@SNYtv) September 13, 2025
However, they’re not playing like a cohesive team. They play their best (and win far more games) when they’re putting the ball in play, not getting behind in counts and searching for something to launch into the seats. SNY’s Steve Gelbs reported the vibe in the clubhouse was “perplexed” after Saturday night’s loss. It didn’t seem like anyone had an answer for why things are not clicking as of late.
The mood in the Mets clubhouse can best be described as “perplexed.” Players insist they’re preparing the right way, embracing the urgency and maintaining the right attitude. They look at the talent in the room and believe it has to turn—but no one can explain why it hasn’t yet.
— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) September 14, 2025
They don’t seem to be playing hard, and they seem to be overthinking the game. Individually, the Mets’ team is playing decent baseball. They just need to move the needle.
And they’ve got more than enough talent and heart to do so.
Why it Still Matters
The Mets are still within striking distance of the Wild Card. This is a roster that’s been as high as 21 games over .500 this season, one that already proved what it can do when it plays clean baseball. Sproat’s emergence is real. Nolan McLean is lights out. Soto is in MVP form. Lindor is setting the tone.
Baseball is a game of adjustments. A week from now, a streak like this can flip. Fans saw it in April and May—the ballpark’s belief lifted this group. They might be down, but they’re not done.
