The New York Mets faced a tough challenge on May 10, 2025, falling to the Chicago Cubs 6-5 in a closely contested game that showcased both teams' strengths and weaknesses. Despite a valiant effort, the Mets were unable to capitalize on critical opportunities, leaving them to ponder what could have been.
The game started on a shaky note for Mets pitcher Tylor Megill, who was looking to rebound from a rough stretch. Megill had been impressive early in the season, boasting a 1.09 ERA through his first four starts. However, that success seemed a distant memory as he struggled against the Cubs. In the first inning alone, he allowed three consecutive baserunners, setting the tone for a challenging night ahead.
It was former Mets prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong who ignited the Cubs' offense, leading off the game with a single. He swiftly stole second base and advanced to third on a throwing error by catcher Francisco Alvarez. Crow-Armstrong then scored the first run of the game on Seiya Suzuki's RBI single up the middle, putting the Cubs ahead early.
Things worsened for Megill in the second inning when he allowed a two-out walk to Justin Turner, which loaded the bases. Although he managed to get Nico Hoerner to pop out, the damage was done as Dansby Swanson's hard liner to third resulted in an infield hit, extending the Cubs' lead to 2-0.
In the third inning, Megill's struggles continued. Suzuki doubled to lead off the inning, and he later scored on a single from Michael Busch, pushing the Cubs' lead to 3-0. The Mets finally threatened in the bottom of the third when Alvarez was hit by a pitch and Tyrone Taylor reached on catcher's interference. However, Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto failed to deliver, leaving the Mets in a hole.
Swanson then added to the Cubs' lead in the fourth with a leadoff homer to left-center, making it 4-0. The Mets finally broke through in the bottom of the fourth when Pete Alonso led off with a single, followed by a hard-hit single from Mark Vientos. With both runners in scoring position after a wild pitch, Brett Baty came through with a three-run homer, bringing the Mets back into contention at 4-3.
Despite the momentum shift, the Cubs responded in the eighth inning. Mets pitcher Max Kranick, who had been struggling in recent outings, loaded the bases before allowing a two-run single to Miguel Amaya. This crucial hit extended the Cubs' lead to 6-3, putting the Mets in a precarious position.
However, the Mets weren't done yet. In the bottom of the eighth, Baty struck again, hitting his second homer of the night, which narrowed the gap to 6-4. The excitement in the stadium was palpable as the Mets looked to rally.
As the game moved into the ninth inning, Jeff McNeil nearly opened the inning with a pinch-hit double but instead drew a walk. Lindor then grounded into a double play, and Soto grounded out to end the game, sealing the Mets' fate with a final score of 6-5.
Despite the loss, there were bright spots for the Mets. Brett Baty's performance was a highlight, as he continued to show his power with two home runs, including a critical three-run shot that sparked hope for the Mets. Juan Soto has also been on a hot streak, hitting three homers over the past two games and boasting an impressive slash line of .333/.441/.741 over his last seven games.
Looking ahead, the Mets (25-14) will need to regroup quickly as they prepare to face the Cubs again in a rematch. Tylor Megill will be looking to regain his early-season form and secure his first win since April 21. Meanwhile, the Mets' pitching staff, which owns the second-best ERA in MLB at 2.82, will need to step up to support their struggling offense.
As the season progresses, the Mets will have to find a way to convert their scoring opportunities into victories. With their powerful lineup and strong pitching, fans are hopeful that the Mets can bounce back and continue to compete in the National League East.
