On a hot and humid night in Baltimore, the Mets appeared poised for a disappointing game. Facing the 40-49 Orioles, Baltimore’s young starter Brandon Young held New York’s offense in check for five innings. However, the Mets lineup eventually awakened, taking a 2-1 lead. The Orioles responded by exploiting Mets’ closer Clay Holmes, scoring four runs in the sixth inning and adding another against the bullpen in the seventh.
Trailing 6-2 with only six outs left, it seemed like the Mets were headed for a loss on their road trip before the All-Star break. But the Mets’ top four hitters refused to give up, orchestrating a comeback that secured a 7-6 victory in extra innings. Brandon Nemo led off the eighth with a single, followed by Francisco Lindor’s 18th homer of the season, cutting the Orioles’ lead to 6-4. Juan Soto then singled, setting the stage for Pete Alonso, who tied the game with a two-run homer, bringing new life to the contest.
Mets manager Carlos Mendoza praised the team’s adjustments after a quiet start to the game, highlighting the bats’ improved performance. Nemo’s at-bat in the eighth was a crucial turning point; he battled through seven pitches, fouling off three before hitting a single. This gave Lindor a better read on the pitchers, leading to his key home run. Lindor credited Nemo for setting him up perfectly, calling it a professional and well-executed approach.
Mendoza noted that Nemo’s disciplined play has been evident over the past month, influencing his decision to rearrange the lineup and have Nemo face right-handed pitchers to help Lindor and others prepare in real time. Since this change, the Mets have improved to 4-1, demonstrating increased confidence and resilience amid the season’s ups and downs.
Soto emphasized the team’s belief in their lineup and the importance of staying calm and competitive, even in close games. The comeback win was a team effort, with the bullpen holding the Orioles’ offense in check following Holmes’ departure and solid defense from Lewis Torrens preventing further runs. Even small plays like Travis Djanovski’s bunt contributed to the team’s momentum.
Overall, the Mets tallied seven runs on 11 hits, with the top four hitters producing six runs and eight hits. While the entire team contributed to the win, Nemo, Lindor, Soto, and Alonso stood out as key players in this thrilling comeback. Mendoza praised the potency of this core group, noting how difficult it is for opposing pitchers to navigate such a powerful lineup.
Fan Take: This game showcases the Mets’ tenacity and the impact of strategic lineup changes, emphasizing how key players stepping up can shift a team’s momentum. For baseball fans, it’s a thrilling reminder of the sport’s unpredictability and the excitement of late-game comebacks, which keeps the spirit of competition alive all season long.
