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Carlos Mendoza Breaks Silence on Controversial Decision in Mets’ Loss to Braves

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Josh Valdez | Last updated Jun 18, 2025 12:35 AM ET

The New York Mets improved on Sunday's 9-0 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays, but it wasn't enough to win on Tuesday. They fell 5-4 to the Atlanta Braves after third baseman Austin Riley's walk-off sacrifice fly in the 10th inning, extending their losing streak to four games.

Mets southpaw David Peterson delivered a quality start, allowing three runs on five hits over seven-plus innings. The veteran pitched to two hitters in the eighth, but manager Carlos Mendoza yanked him after he allowed a walk and a single.

Although New York came into that frame with a 4-1 lead, reliever Reed Garrett couldn't bail out Peterson. Not only did he allow the starter's runners to score, but he coughed up another run on designated hitter Marcell Ozuna's game-tying double.

Mendoza explained his decision to allow Peterson to pitch into the eighth, via SNY.

"Especially with the way he was throwing the ball, he's at 82 pitches before the inning started with the nine-hole," he said. "He walked him there, you still like your chances of getting a ground ball, he was getting a lot of ground balls, and with a three-run lead."

"It just didn't happen today, we were one pitch, one strike away from getting out of it," he continued. "We just couldn't get the job done."

""Especially with the way he was throwing the ball, he's at 82 pitches before the inning started with the 9-hole"

Carlos Mendoza talks about the decision to send David Peterson back out for the 8th inning in Atlanta pic.twitter.com/w2rGQfl4xJ
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 18, 2025

New York is now tied with the Chicago Cubs for the NL's best record and is two games ahead of the Philadelphia Phillies for first place in the NL East. Right-handed pitcher Paul Blackburn will start for the club against Atlanta southpaw Chris Sale on Wednesday night.

After this Braves series, the Mets will finish their road trip vs. the Philadelphia Phillies.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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