A restless night as the Mets waste comeback on a day where baseball is put in perspective

Despite overcoming a six-run deficit, the Mets bullpen could not hold on for the comeback win. Plus, how you can help the victims of the senseless Texas shooting.

May 25, 2022

I would be remiss if I did not start this morning’s newsletter by acknowledging the senseless tragedy in Uvalde, Texas on Tuesday. Yet again, this country is left to pick up the pieces after devastating mass shooting that could have been prevented. As the family member of a Sandy Hook survivor, it needs to be said over and over again that things do not have to be this way.

If you would like to help the families of the 20 victims whose lives were taken yesterday, GoFundMe has set up a hub of verified fundraisers that you can donate to today: gofundme.com/c/act/donate-to-texas-elementary-school-shooting-relief

What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾

The Mets lost a wild and difficult game in San Francisco, 13-12 (box)
New York overcame an 8-2 deficit with a seven-run 8th inning but was unable to hold onto the lead
RHPs Drew Smith and Edwin Díaz were each one out away from getting out of the 8th and 9th innings unscathed, but were both charged with blown saves
Smith has now allowed home runs in three of his last five appearances
RHP Chris Bassitt had his worst start in a Mets uniform, allowing eight earned runs in 4.1 innings pitched
SS Francisco Lindor had a season-high six RBI while going 2-for-4 with a home run and triple
The Mets have now scored a combined 25 runs in the last two games
Last night marked the first time in franchise history that the Mets scored 12 runs in a game and lost

Roster Moves 📰

The Mets signed RHP Wander Rosario to a minor league contract

Who’s Hot 🔥

RF Starling Marte is hitting .350/.350/.500 with a home run, three RBI and a stolen base in his first four games since coming off of the bereavement list
3B Eduardo Escobar is 6-for-his-last-12 with two doubles, two RBI and back-to-back multi-hit games after going 6-for-his-previous-50 at the plate
RHP Adam Ottavino has a 3.12 ERA and 1.51 FIP with three holds in the month of May

Today’s Game 🗓

Match-up: Mets (29-16) at Giants (23-19)

Where: Oracle Park — San Francisco, CA

Starters: LHP Thomas Szapucki (2022 debut) vs. RHP Jakob Junis (1-1, 2.70 ERA)

When: 3:45 PM EDT

Where to Watch: SNY

Donate to Texas Families

Sleep if you dare… 📝

If you’re reading this, you’re probably running on fumes after staying up for last night’s wild, exciting and frustrating 13-12 loss in San Francisco. I know that writing this, I’ve got virtually no energy this morning and still have some residual annoyance after having gone to sleep at two o’clock in the morning following a blown save with two outs and nobody on in the 9th and a gut-check loss.

In a big way, last night’s loss really stings. Part of you wishes they’d spared you the emotional tease (and also given you a reason to catch those extra Z’s that you’re sorely lacking this morning) and have just lost 8-2 without the drama. But in another way, it feels good to have a baseball game be able to make you feel something after the real-life tragedy of yesterday. And though they did not pull off win, and we’re all-the-more exhausted for it, there is something to be said about this team’s unwillingness to go down quietly.

All of a sudden in 2022, it is no longer safe to go to sleep early when the Mets are playing out on the West Coast. So many years prior to this if you’d seen the club was trailing by several runs out in San Fran, LA or San Diego, you’d probably hit the sack without even questioning it. Now, you have to legitimately ask yourself if you’re running the risk of missing out. Thanks to so much Mets magic early in this season, anything seems possible to the point where you may be willing to sacrifice those extra late-night hours for a chance at seeing something special happen.

Last night looked like it was going to be one of those nights. I, myself, had planned on catching up on some sleep but the second I saw them pecking away at the score, I couldn’t help myself. For a moment it seemed like that choice paid off, and even though the bullpen couldn’t clamp down and we’re all various versions of annoyed, grumpy and flat-out gassed this morning, there is a oddly reassuring feeling that this is a team you literally cannot sleep on anymore. If you do, you might miss something great.

Down on the Farm 🌾

Hayden Senger (C, No. 20 Prospect, Double-A): 1-for-4, HR (2), 2 RBI
Jake Mangum (OF, No. 22 Prospect, Triple-A): 1-for-2, walk, stolen base (1)
Carlos Cortes (2B/OF, No. 15 Prospect, Double-A): 1-for-4, double

Box Scores: Triple-A | Double-A | High-A (PPD) | Single-A

Around the League 🚩

The Braves had a come-from-behind, walk-off win over the Phillies thanks to a dropped ball in the outfield in the 9th inning
Yankees C Jose Trivino delivered a walk-off single on the anniversary of his father’s death
Blue Jays 1B Vlad Guerrero Jr. homered as the club’s offense got going in an 8-1 win over the Cardinals
The Red Sox blew out the White Sox in Chicago with a 16-3 victory