Mets Struggle in 7-1 Loss to Padres: Juan Soto’s Injury Adds to Woes

SAN DIEGO – The New York Mets faced a challenging night at Petco Park, suffering a 7-1 defeat against the San Diego Padres. The game was made all the more difficult by an early exit from star player Juan Soto, who left the field due to a foot contusion after a foul ball struck him.

Injury Update: Juan Soto

Soto, who has been a cornerstone of the Mets’ lineup with a staggering contract of $765 million, exited the game after fouling a ball off his left foot in the fourth inning. Despite the initial scare, X-rays were negative, and Soto expressed optimism.

“I think it’s going to be good. We just got to get the swelling down,” said Soto.

The injury forced him from the game after he limped to first base on a one-hop ground ball, ensuring that the Mets would continue without their biggest offensive weapon.

Offensive Struggles

The Mets’ offensive performance reflected struggles that have persisted throughout the season:

• Team Stats:
  • Only four hits throughout the game, with none coming from players with runners in scoring position.
  • Key hitters, dubbed the "Fab Four" by owner Steve Cohen, collectively fell short:
  • Brandon Nimmo: 0-for-3 with a walk, has hit just 2-for-18 in his last four games.
  • Francisco Lindor: 0-for-4 with three strikeouts, struggling at 8-for-55 (.145) in his last 14 appearances.
  • Pete Alonso: 0-for-3 with a walk, with a poor run of 5-for-57 (.088) over his last 16 games.

Manager Carlos Mendoza commented on the team’s offensive woes:

“They’ve been grinding for the last three weeks. We’ve seen some good signs at times, but we’ve seen games like today.”

Pitching Overview

On the mound, Sean Manaea delivered a commendable performance, pitching five efficient innings with only one run allowed. However, despite his efforts, the Mets could not capitalize offensively.

• Manaea’s Performance:
  • Retired 12 batters in a row at one point.
  • Had a pitch-count limit due to previous health concerns, finishing with 86 pitches, leaving fans wanting more.

Despite Manaea’s solid outing, the relief pitching faltered. José Buttó gave up crucial runs including a two-out, RBI triple to Jackson Merrill, leading to a disastrous five-run seventh inning for the Mets.

Key Moments of the Game

The Mets had a golden opportunity to score during the fifth inning. After loading the bases with no outs, a strikeout from Lindor was followed by a sacrifice fly from Starling Marte, yielding the only run for the Mets that night.

Conclusion: What Lies Ahead for the Mets

The Mets, while dealing with key injuries and a struggling lineup, must regroup quickly. The series loss against the Padres is a stark reminder of the challenges ahead.

• Next Up: The Mets will look to bounce back in the series finale against the Padres, needing a collective team effort to improve their offensive consistency and regain momentum.

For more information on the Mets’ performance and updates, visit ESPN or check MLB.com.