Back-to-back losses remind us why the NY Mets should have fired Carlos Mendoza

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza didn’t have a bad game on Tuesday. Two pinch hitters, including Mark Vientos with a home run, came through. He kept cool when he exited the dugout to argue an ejection he was as puzzled about as anyone else. Rarely will a manager win a game. Their job is to lose as few as possible.

Despite the skipper being mostly on-point, the Mets dropped the game 5-3. The four runs allowed by Kodai Senga in the first inning made it difficult yet not impossible. The Reds wouldn’t score off of him again while the offense crowded up the bases and left each other stranded. 23 base runners have now been left on base in these two losses.

After the high of winning a series against the Atlanta Braves, we’re back to a low. We’re being reminded why the Mets should have fired Mendoza even as we acknowledge it’s not all his fault.

Carlos Mendoza is a captain with no compass right now

Mendoza didn’t win any fans over pregame when he talked about their 12-0 loss as if it was much closer.

This has been Mendoza’s style. When he defends his players less, you know he really means it. At times unable to hold back from more of how he really feels, there’s a perception around this team that trying is good enough even if the effort and mental aspect of the game isn’t always the sharpest.

Tuesday’s quick use of the ABS system wasted any future chances the Mets would have had to make up for mistakes by the home plate umpire. Frankly, Francisco Alvarez’s attempt to save Senga’s start is passable. Marcus Semien using another ABS in the second inning was more egregious.

This is a team that has forgotten how many outs there are multiple times this year. Francisco Lindor got the brunt of the criticism, but there have been a few times when the infielders either walked off the field prematurely or made an extra throw they didn’t need to.

Something with these Mets players hasn’t clicked. The blame falls on Mendoza.

Poor hitting with runners in scoring position is one thing. Bad choices or lack of awareness or accountability is another.

Back in May against the Reds ironically enough, the Mets booth blasted the lack of fundamentals by the pitchers when it came to backing up a base. David Peterson was the culprit this time with Ron Darling tearing into how Mendoza’s influence doesn’t seem to be making a difference with the players.

It was never an easy task for Mendoza who went into this year on a lame duck contract. Ever since the heat of whether or not he should be fired has died down, the team has felt less emotional and more like a club going through the motions. This includes Mendoza who’s probably already more interested in doing what he can to another job rather than save this Mets team.

This year’s Mets failures aren’t on Mendoza alone. However, it’s hard to believe with repeated mistakes that continue to pop up that a change might’ve been good for change’s sake. We’re getting to the stage of “why bother?” 

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