Carlos Mendoza Under Fire for Decision in Mets' 11th Straight Loss

To make matters worse, New York had a strong chance to win Sunday’s series finale. They entered the ninth inning holding a one-run lead, but closer Devin Williams allowed the Cubs to tie the game.

After going scoreless in the top of the 10th, the Mets turned to veteran Craig Kimbrel to preserve the tie. Instead, he allowed the winning run to score, and the way it happened is why manager Carlos Mendoza is under fire.

The Cubs’ ghost runner, Pete Crow-Armstrong, advanced to third on a wild pitch from Kimbrel. After a strikeout of Dansby Swanson, the Mets had just one out with the winning run 90 feet away. Mendoza opted not to intentionally walk second baseman Nico Hoerner to set up a potential double play.

Instead, he pitched to Hoerner, who immediately delivered a sacrifice fly to walk off the Mets. Fans were quick to place the blame on Mendoza.

"Mendoza has never watched a baseball game in his life. I have no clue how he’s the manager. How do you pitch to the best contact hitter in the league with 2 bases open? how does this guy have a job???" asked one fan.

Another wrote, "Mendoza needs to be fired. How do you let Hoerner hit there with 1B open to setup the double play and get out of the inning? It’s pathetic how bad of a manager he is."

"Mendoza has to go. Sorry but not walking the batter to setup a potential double is crap," said one more.

"Not walking Nico there is another reason Mendoza is a horrible manager. #FireStearns #FireMendoza," added a fan.

Another wrote, "Why did you pitch to Nico!!!!!"

Mets fans do have a point. Hoerner struck out just 49 times last year in 649 plate appearances and has long been known as a contact-oriented hitter, making the decision even more questionable.

The Mets will now look for their first win in two weeks when they return home Tuesday to open a series against the Minnesota Twins.