NEW YORK — About three hours before first pitch on Tuesday, Mets owner Steve Cohen emerged into the Mets’ dugout for an impromptu chat about his team. Cohen described himself as “calm,” but also “concerned” and “focused.” He suggested that he is not the type to panic, even in the face of the franchise’s longest losing streak in more than two decades.
The Mets dropped a 5-3 game to the Twins on Tuesday despite Francisco Lindor’s three-run homer and five perfect innings from Nolan McLean. Minnesota tied things on a Luke Keaschall RBI single off McLean in the seventh inning before pulling ahead with late rallies.
The loss extended New York’s skid to a dozen straight games, their longest streak since 2002 and tied for the sixth longest in franchise history. It remains five shy of the franchise-record 17-game losing streak endured during their inaugural 1962 season.
Shortly after New York’s loss, the Royals won a game, giving the Mets sole possession of the worst record in Major League Baseball at 7-16.
“It’s tough, man,” said closer Devin Williams, who has allowed seven earned runs over his last three outings. “I’ve never been a part of something like this.”
Each night, the Mets are finding different ways to lose. After McLean opened Tuesday’s game with five perfect innings and Lindor homered to deliver the Mets plenty of momentum, Minnesota tied things on a Keaschall RBI single off McLean in the seventh.
Before Tuesday’s game, SNY field reporter Steve Gelbs wore a garlic necklace and burned sage outside Citi Field in an attempt to break the streak. None of it worked.
Cohen had previously sent a series of reassuring texts to manager Carlos Mendoza, whose job status came under scrutiny as the Mets lost game after game.
Despite the loss, Cohen highlighted Lindor’s performance as a positive takeaway. “We need more of that,” Cohen remarked, emphasizing the urgency to improve the team’s offensive output.
On Wednesday, the Mets had their first chance to turn things around in the final game of the series against the Twins.
The Mets’ 12-game losing streak marks their longest such stretch since a 12-game skid in 2002. Only four other losing streaks in franchise history have been longer: the 17-game skid to open the 1962 season, a 15-game slide in 1964, a 14-game streak in 1965, and a 13-game run in 1963.
At 7-16, New York’s winning percentage sits at .304, the lowest in MLB. The team has scored just 78 runs through 23 games while allowing 128, a run differential of -50.
Francisco Lindor leads the Mets with five home runs and 16 RBIs through the first month of the season. Nolan McLean has held opponents to a .182 batting average over his first four starts, including the five-inning perfect outing against Minnesota.
Devin Williams, acquired in the offseason to bolster the bullpen, has posted a 6.30 ERA over his first seven appearances, struggling with command in high-leverage situations.
Looking ahead, the Mets will open a three-game series against the Detroit Tigers at Citi Field on Thursday. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10 p.m. ET.
Fans can follow live updates and game coverage through the Mets’ official website and MLB’s At Bat app.
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