Mets fall to Braves 3-2 on June 24, 2025, despite Juan Soto's HR. Paul Blackburn takes the loss as the team's skid hits 9 of 10. Can they fix the slump?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
It’s a script Mets fans know all too well this month. A glimmer of hope, a flash of power from a superstar, but ultimately, not enough to overcome the team's deep-seated struggles. Tuesday night at Citi Field was another frustrating chapter, as the Mets fell 3-2 to the rival Atlanta Braves, marking their ninth loss in the last ten games and sinking the team further into a June swoon.
The Mets' 5-through-9 hitters have combined for a .197 batting average in June, one of the lowest marks in Major League Baseball.
The entirety of the Mets' offense came from one swing of the bat: a towering two-run homer from Juan Soto in the sixth inning. It was his 17th of the year and an incredible eighth this month, further cementing his status as the team's offensive engine. But one man can't carry a team. Starter Paul Blackburn battled, giving up three runs over six innings to take the tough-luck loss (0-2), while Braves starter Spencer Schwellenbach silenced the rest of the lineup over seven dominant frames. The Mets had a golden opportunity to tie or take the lead in the eighth with runners on the corners, but Soto struck out, ending the threat and sealing the team's fate.
The frustrating loss highlighted the team's most glaring issue: a complete lack of production from the bottom half of the order. The Mets' hitters from the five-spot through the nine-spot are collectively batting a miserable .197 in June. It’s a black hole in the lineup that kills rallies and puts immense pressure on the top of the order to be perfect. In fact, only the Braves' bottom-of-the-order hitters have performed worse this month, a shocking statistic for a team with playoff aspirations.
Just as despair begins to set in, there's a beacon of hope on the horizon, and it's coming for the starting rotation. Frankie Montas, the team's big offseason pitching acquisition, is finally set to make his long-awaited Mets debut in the next game against Atlanta. He's not coming alone, either. Sean Manaea is knocking on the door after a spectacular rehab outing for Triple-A Syracuse where he retired 15 straight batters and fanned seven. Add in positive reports on Kodai Senga's recovery, and suddenly the beleaguered pitching staff looks poised for a massive, and desperately needed, infusion of talent.
Even as the big-league club struggles, the future remains bright. Despite 'win-now' moves, the farm system is still considered deep, boasting top 100 prospects like Brandon Sproat, Jett Williams, and Carson Benge. In a milestone for the system, prospect Jonah Tong just became the first pitcher in the minor leagues to reach 100 strikeouts this season, showcasing the high-end talent brewing in the pipeline. It's a reminder that even in tough times, the organization is building for sustained success.
The loss stings, and the offensive struggles are real and deeply concerning. But for the first time in weeks, tangible help is arriving. All eyes now turn to Frankie Montas. Can his debut provide the spark this team so desperately needs to pull out of its tailspin? One game won't fix a .197 batting average from half the lineup, but a strong start could finally change the narrative and stop the bleeding. The Mets need a new script, and Montas will be the first one to pick up the pen.
