Mets lose 7-5 to the Rays on June 14 as the bullpen collapses in a 6-run 6th, wasting strong nights from Pete Alonso & Francisco Lindor. How did it unravel?
StatPro MLB Beat Reporter
All good things must come to an end, but this felt particularly cruel. A comfortable 5-1 lead at Citi Field vanished in a flash as the bullpen faltered, the Tampa Bay Rays erupted for six runs in the sixth inning, and the Mets' six-game winning streak was snapped in a stunning 7-5 loss. It was a stark reminder of how quickly a game, and momentum, can turn in this sport.
'I think we’re going to let him [McLean] perform at Triple-A. His first start was great. That was great to see. And I look forward to watching him continue that.' - David Stearns, President of Baseball Operations
For five innings, it was business as usual for the first-place Mets. The offense was clicking, with Pete Alonso (2-for-4, RBI) and Francisco Lindor (2 hits, 2 runs) leading the charge to build a commanding 5-1 lead. Starter Tylor Megill looked solid, navigating the Rays' lineup effectively. But then came the sixth. Megill was charged with four runs over his 5.1 innings, but the real damage came against the relief corps, who couldn't stop the bleeding. The inning was capped by a crushing two-run homer from Danny Jansen that put the Rays ahead for good, silencing the Citi Field crowd and leaving the Mets' offense stagnant for the rest of the game.
Saturday's collapse felt less like a random bad day and more like a flashing red warning light for the front office. It's no coincidence that reports surfaced today detailing the Mets' active search for bullpen upgrades ahead of the trade deadline. The team is reportedly targeting a reliable left-handed reliever and more depth, putting them in direct competition with the rival Phillies. With top arms like Ryan Helsley and Felix Bautista potentially available, today's loss only amplifies the urgency. A championship-caliber team can't afford these kinds of meltdowns, and this game served as Exhibit A for why reinforcements are a need, not a want.
While the big-league club deals with its immediate bullpen issues, there was a significant development down on the farm. Top pitching prospect Nolan McLean made a dazzling Triple-A debut for Syracuse, firing seven shutout innings that surely had Mets officials buzzing. His performance stands in contrast to the inconsistency of fellow prospect Brandon Sproat, who was hit hard in his latest start. While President of Baseball Operations David Stearns preached patience, stating McLean will get a chance to prove himself in Triple-A, a dominant arm like that is a tantalizing thought. He may not be the immediate answer, but McLean's emergence provides a crucial glimmer of long-term, homegrown hope.
One disastrous inning doesn't erase a 45-25 record, but it serves as a glaring reminder that even the best teams have vulnerabilities. How the Mets bounce back tomorrow against the Rays is the immediate test, but the real story will be how David Stearns addresses the bullpen cracks before they become chasms. The clock is ticking towards the trade deadline, and after today, the need for reinforcement has never been clearer.
