The New York Mets dropped their 12th straight game, falling 5-3 to the Minnesota Twins in Queens and sinking to a league-worst 7-16. A blown ninth by Devin Williams and a hitless second half of the lineup compounded the collapse, while rival franchises, from the Twins to MLS’s Charlotte FC, seized the moment on social media — intensifying pressure on manager Carlos Mendoza and the beleaguered roster.
Mets sink to 12th straight loss — collapse in Queens
The Mets’ skid reached a new nadir Tuesday night as they blew a three-run lead and fell 5-3 to the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field. New York has now lost 12 straight games and sits at 7-16, the worst record in MLB. The defeat deepens a crisis that began in early April and amplifies scrutiny on a roster that has failed to sustain offense or protect leads.
Game turning points
Devin Williams surrendered the tying run in the ninth, finishing a night that saw the Mets go hitless after the fifth inning. New York squandered an early three-run advantage and watched its bullpen unravel in the late innings. The offense produced little after a promising start, underscoring a broader inability to string together timely hits.
Bullpen breakdown and offensive drought
The bullpen’s collapse magnified the team’s offensive futility. After the fifth inning the Mets recorded no hits, a stretch that turned a manageable advantage into a gutting loss. Manager Carlos Mendoza must reconcile late-inning deployment and matchups while trying to reignite a lineup whose underlying talent has not translated into consistent production.
Social-media jabs — Twins and Charlotte FC weigh in
Rival teams wasted no time rubbing salt in the wound. The Twins posted a pointed social-media quip comparing “a dozen” to Mets losses, while Charlotte FC highlighted that neither it nor New York City FC has recorded a win at Citi Field since April 8. The barbs are more than watercooler noise; they reflect how the Mets’ struggles have become a broader talking point across New York sports.
What this means for Carlos Mendoza and the season
A 12-game slide is not just a streak; it’s a managerial and organizational stress test. The Mets are approaching the franchise nadir of 17 consecutive losses set in 1962, and historically no team that has suffered a 12-game losing streak has gone on to reach the postseason. That historical context doesn’t doom the year, but it sharply raises expectations for corrective action — from lineup tweaks to bullpen reconfiguration — in the coming days.
Club house mood and leadership
Shortstop Francisco Lindor acknowledged the weight of the skid: “We’re all very aware of it.” Leadership and veteran presence will be crucial as the team tries to arrest momentum. How Mendoza harnesses that leadership and adjusts in-game strategy will be a focal point for fans and front-office evaluators alike.
Juan Soto’s return provides relief — how much it helps
There’s a potential boost: Juan Soto is expected to return from a calf injury Wednesday. Soto’s presence in the middle of the order immediately raises the lineup’s ceiling and could stabilize run production. That said, one player’s return rarely fixes systemic pitching or bullpen problems; Soto may shorten the leash for Mendoza, but broader fixes are still required.
Schedule and immediate outlook
The Mets remain in Queens for the continuation of the series with the Twins Wednesday and Thursday before heading to face the Colorado Rockies. These next few games represent a critical window: stop the bleeding, assess bullpen roles, and integrate Soto back into the lineup. Failure to show urgency now will only deepen the hole in an already early but ominous 2026 campaign.
What to watch next
How Mendoza adjusts bullpen usage and whether the offense can produce after the fifth inning. How Soto’s return alters lineup construction and run expectancy.
Twins, Charlotte FC troll Mets as embarrassing losing streak hits 12
Whether the Mets can limit mistakes in close games and regain competitive consistency.
The Mirror Us
