The Angels welcomed back Chris Taylor but lost 7-5 to the Mets on July 22, 2025, after a bullpen collapse and a costly error by Logan O'Hoppe.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It was a day that perfectly encapsulated the 2025 Angels season: a flash of brilliance and hope, followed by a gut-wrenching collapse. While the Halos welcomed All-Star Chris Taylor back to the lineup, the good vibes were short-lived as a 4-0 lead evaporated into a 7-5 loss against the New York Mets at Citi Field, marking a frustrating start to the series.
A costly fielding error by Logan O'Hoppe in the eighth inning opened the door for the Mets' game-winning rally.
For a while, it looked like the Angels' night. They ambushed Mets ace Kodai Senga, tagging him for four runs in just three innings. Taylor Ward was the catalyst, driving in three runs, and Logan O'Hoppe, playing near his Long Island home, crushed a solo shot that seemed to set the tone. Starter Tyler Anderson did his job, but the familiar bullpen woes resurfaced. The Mets chipped away, tying the game on a Juan Soto single in the seventh before disaster struck in the eighth. A crucial fielding error by O'Hoppe allowed the go-ahead run to score, and Brett Baty followed with a two-run homer that sealed the Angels' fate. Edwin Díaz then came in to shut the door, striking out the heart of the order for his 20th save.
The one bright spot on an otherwise dreary day was the official return of Chris Taylor. Reinstated from the injured list after missing over a month with a broken left hand, the All-Star provides a much-needed jolt of versatility and veteran presence to the lineup. Before the injury, Taylor had a homer and three RBIs in just 10 games, and his return couldn't be more timely as the team struggles for consistency. To make room, promising outfielder Gustavo Campero was optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake, a tough but necessary move to get a key piece back in the fold.
This loss drops the Angels to 49-51, further cementing their fourth-place position in the AL West, now 8.5 games behind the division-leading Houston Astros. With the trade deadline looming and the team two games below .500, every game feels magnified. The offense, led by Taylor Ward's 23 homers and 76 RBIs, has shown it can score. The question remains whether the pitching and defense can hold up their end of the bargain down the stretch.
The Angels don't have time to dwell on this one. They're right back at it against the Mets on Tuesday, needing a win to even the series and build some momentum. With Chris Taylor back in the lineup, the potential for a spark is there. But the team must find a way to close out games and avoid the self-inflicted wounds that turned a potential win into a painful loss. Tonight's game is more than just another contest; it's a test of this team's resilience.
