The New York Mets faced a disheartening defeat on Friday night, as their valiant late-game rally proved insufficient against the San Francisco Giants, who clinched a dramatic 4-3 extra-inning victory at Citi Field. The decisive blow came in the 10th inning, courtesy of former Met Dom Smith, whose RBI single off Edwin Díaz sealed the fate of the game in front of a capacity crowd. This loss leaves the New York Mets contemplating their late-game execution.
Despite the loss, the Mets showcased significant resilience, especially in the eighth inning, where the top of their lineup sparked a crucial two-run rally. Francisco Lindor, ending a 0-for-13 slide, delivered a timely single, followed by Pete Alonso’s sac fly that tied the score at 3-3, reigniting hope among the loyal fanbase. This burst of offense demonstrated their ability to compete under pressure, even against formidable opponents like the San Francisco Giants.
Pete Alonso provided an earlier spark for the Mets, launching his 23rd home run of the season in the seventh inning, a 414-foot rocket that cut into the Giants’ lead. This solo shot, hit with an exit velocity of 110.1 mph, broke Alonso’s own 0-for-19 skid and brought him closer to a significant franchise record, highlighting his powerful impact despite recent struggles at Citi Field Game.
On the pitching front, David Peterson delivered another commendable outing for the Mets, providing much-needed length. He surrendered only two runs and four hits over six innings, marking his 14th start this season with at least six innings pitched. Peterson’s consistent performance continued a strong run, despite a brief wobble in the second inning that led to the Giants’ initial runs. This impressive effort by David Peterson further solidified his role.
Peterson’s strong showing contributed to an impressive home record for the Mets when he starts; Friday marked their first home loss with Peterson on the mound all season, breaking a 10-game winning streak. This streak was the second-longest in club history, underscoring his reliability and the team’s success with him as their starting pitcher in MLB Baseball matchups.
Giants lefty Robbie Ray, who had previously lost to the Mets, delivered a sharp performance, allowing only one run on four hits over seven strong innings, effectively stifling the Mets’ bats for much of the contest. The ultimate decider was Dom Smith, whose clutch Dom Smith RBI extended his hitting streak and proved pivotal for the Giants, demonstrating how former players can impact games against their old teams.
Young slugger Mark Vientos extended his hitting streak to 10 games with a fifth-inning single, representing the Mets’ first hit off Ray. However, the Mets ultimately left the bases loaded in the crucial 10th inning, with their rally attempts falling short against the Giants’ closer, marking a frustrating end to a hard-fought game. The Mets Extra Innings struggle highlights their need to capitalize on scoring opportunities.