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The light at the end of the New York Mets’ clubhouse tunnel seemed bright after Francisco Lindor hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning and starter Nolan McLean was mowing down Minnesota Twins batters, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning.
The Mets’ 11-game losing streak when they returned home Tuesday, the franchise’s longest since 2004, was on track to end at Citi Field.
Until it wasn’t.
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New York Mets relief pitcher Devin Williams reacts after driving in a run in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field in New York City on April 21, 2026. (Wendell Cruz/Imagn Images)
McLean’s no-hitter ended when Matt Wallner singled to lead off the sixth inning, but the young starter, who was in Team USA’s World Baseball Classic rotation, was able to get the next two batters out. 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 for the top of the seventh inning instead of manager Carlos Mendoza going to the bullpen, and Luke Keaschall tied the game after singling home Kody Clemens, who had doubled to right field just one batter earlier. It was a 3-3 ballgame, and just like that, the Mets’ losing streak was close to being extended.
The wheels fell off in the top of the ninth inning as reliever Devin Williams, who has struggled in his previous two outings, ensured the losing streak continued.
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Williams walked Josh Bell and Ryan Jeffers to start the inning, and Kody Clemens’ sacrifice bunt left the bases loaded after the Mets were unable to secure an out. Then Keaschall came through with another clutch single, scoring James Outman with the eventual game-winning run.
Williams’ lack of control cost him once again to chase the Twins’ first lead of the night, walking Wallner to allow a free run to trot home from third base. It could have been even worse if Austin Warren didn’t come into the game and strike out all 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 City 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 their own come-from-behind magic. Luis Torrens struck out, Francisco Alvarez singled to right field and Tyrone Taylor struck out swinging. In fact, the Mets didn’t have a hit 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 about $334 million, have lost 12 straight games.
Some fans entered the stadium wearing paper bags on their heads with tears running from their eye sockets. There may have been a moment where they came close to taking them off, but that’s simply the way things are going for the Mets at the moment.
“They’re not going to be happy, that’s not a secret,” Mendoza said before Tuesday’s loss, according to ESPN. “Our fan base, they’ll tell you when you’re not playing well.”
A New York Mets fan expresses frustration during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens, New York City, 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 at 7-16 – tied for worst in MLB with the Kansas City Royals.
New York will try it all again tomorrow in Flushing, Queens, with Clay Holmes getting the start for the Mets. And perhaps the latest 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.
