Juan Soto's homer wasn't enough as the Mets fell 3-2 to the Braves on June 24. See how the rest of the lineup struggled in their 9th loss in 10 games.
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It’s a script Mets fans are getting tired of reading. Juan Soto provides a massive spark, and the rest of the lineup fizzles out. That story played out again on Tuesday night at Citi Field, as Soto’s two-run blast accounted for all the team's offense in a frustrating 3-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves, marking the Mets' ninth defeat in their last ten contests.
We're relying so much on our top guys. We have a lot of guys in the bottom of the lineup that are going through it right now. Once you get past the fourth or fifth batter, we're having a hard time creating opportunities.
Juan Soto continued his torrid June, launching his 17th home run of the season to give the Mets an early lead. But that was it. The entire offensive output. The rest of the lineup seemed to be swinging invisible bats, with hitters 4 through 8 combining for a staggering 0-for-18 with five strikeouts. Even Soto couldn't play hero in every at-bat, striking out with runners on the corners to end a critical eighth-inning threat. The loss, handed to Paul Blackburn, was another example of an offense gone cold, with the team scoring two or fewer runs in six of their last eight games.
In an otherwise bleak offensive night, there was a small glimmer of hope from Brett Baty. Fresh off the injured list with a groin issue, the third baseman collected two hits, looking more comfortable at the plate. While it didn't change the outcome, seeing Baty start to find his timing is a welcome sight. For a team desperate for production from anyone not named Soto, Baty regaining his form would be a massive boost to the bottom half of the order.
After another deflating loss, the Mets will look for a jolt from a new arm. Right-hander Frankie Montas, a key offseason acquisition, is finally set to be activated from the injured list and make his Mets debut in the next game against Atlanta. The team has been treading water with its rotation, and Montas's arrival couldn't be more timely. The hope is that he can provide the stability and top-end performance needed to stop the bleeding and give the slumbering offense a chance to wake up.
The Mets are stuck in a deep rut, and one player, no matter how super-human, can't pull them out alone. All eyes now turn to Wednesday's game. Will Frankie Montas's debut be the catalyst for change, or will the Mets' offensive woes continue against their division rival? Another chapter in this frustrating stretch is about to be written.
