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The light at the end of the New York Mets clubhouse tunnel appeared bright after Francisco Lindor hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the third inning, and starter Nolan McLean mowed down Minnesota Twins hitters, taking a base hit in the sixth inning.
The Mets’ losing streak, which stood at 11 games when they returned home Tuesday, the longest the franchise has had since 2004, was about to end at Citi Field.
Until it wasn’t.
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New York Mets relief pitcher Devin Williams reacts after running in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field in New York on April 21, 2026. (Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)
McLean’s no-hitter ended when Matt Wallner singled to start the sixth inning, but the young starter who was in Team USA’s World Baseball Classic rotation managed to retire the next two batters. But his Team USA teammate, center fielder Byron Buxton, gave all Mets fans a “here we go again” moment when he hammered a two-run homer to left field to cut New York’s lead to just one run.
McLean came out to the mound in the top of the seventh inning instead of manager Carlos Mendoza going to the bullpen, and Luke Keaschall tied the game after hitting Kody Clemens, who doubled to right field just an at-bat before. It was a 3-3 game, and just like that, the Mets’ losing streak was about to extend.
The wheels fell off in the top of the ninth inning, as reliever Devin Williams, who struggled in his previous two outings, ensured that the losing streak continued.
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Williams walked Josh Bell and Ryan Jeffers to start the inning, and Kody Clemens’ sacrifice fly ended with the bases loaded after the Mets failed to get an out. Then Keaschall hit another clutch single, scoring James Outman with the eventual game-winning run.
Williams’ lack of control cost him once again after the Twins’ first lead of the evening, walking Wallner to allow a free run home from third base. It could have been even worse without Austin Warren coming into the game and removing the three Twins he faced to stop the bleeding.
Nolan McLean of the New York Mets reacts in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field in New York on April 21, 2026. (Elsa/Getty Images)
But, with a two-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Mets couldn’t muster some comeback magic of their own. Luis Torrens struck out, Francisco Alvarez lined out to right field, and Tyrone Taylor struck out swinging. In fact, the Mets had no hits in the final five innings of the loss.
Now, for the first time since 2002, the Mets, owners of the highest payroll in MLB at around $334 million, have lost 12 straight games.
Some fans entered the stadium with paper bags over their heads and tears streaming from their cut eyes. There may have been a point where they were about to retire them, but that’s just how things are going for the Mets right now.
“They’re not going to be happy, it’s no secret,” Mendoza said before Tuesday’s loss, according to ESPN. “Our fan base will let you know when you’re not playing well.”
A New York Mets fan expresses his frustration during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field in the Flushing, Queens borough of New York on April 21, 2026. (Elsa/Getty Images)
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This is a Mets team with playoff expectations, but their losing streak has them with a 7-16 record – tied for worst in MLB with the Kansas City Royals.
New York will try all that again tomorrow in Flushing, Queens, with Clay Holmes starting for the Mets. And perhaps the last glimmer of hope for fans is that Juan Soto, their superstar outfielder, is expected to return to the lineup after dealing with a calf strain.
