Francisco Lindor Assigns Blame After Mets' Loss to Braves

Originally posted on Athlon Sports
By Tyrese Alleyne-Davis | Last updated Jun 19, 2025 1:27 PM ET

The New York Mets’ struggles with runners in scoring position have gone from a recurring frustration to a defining weakness.

In Tuesday night’s 5-0 shutout loss to the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park, the Mets were once again stifled in key moments. Atlanta left-hander Chris Sale dominated, tossing eight scoreless innings and striking out eight, as the Mets went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position and stranded six men on base.

The defeat marked New York’s fifth straight loss and underscored a pattern that’s haunted them all season: the inability to convert opportunities into runs. For a lineup built around big bats, the Mets are consistently coming up empty when it matters most.

This isn’t an isolated slump. On May 23 against the Dodgers, the Mets went 0-for-10 with runners in scoring position in a 13-inning loss, failing to score even with automatic runners on in extras. During a series against Arizona, they hit just 4-for-29 with runners in scoring position, including another 0-for-10 performance.

All-Star shortstop Francisco Lindor acknowledged his role in the team’s offensive stagnation, assigning the blame to himself.

“I can definitely get better,” Lindor said postgame. “I can get on base for Pete, for Soto, for the rest of the guys. I can run the bases better. At the end of the day, it’s tough to win games when your leadoff guy is not getting on base.”

Francisco Lindor was asked if there was a common theme in the Mets' five-game losing streak:

"At the end of the day, it's tough to win games when your leadoff guy is not getting on base." pic.twitter.com/yIf27Rti3D
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 19, 2025

His self-awareness reflects a team grappling with execution. Despite having sluggers like Pete Alonso and Juan Soto anchoring the lineup, the Mets’ inability to create momentum at the top of the order continues to stall rallies and squander chances.

Compounding the issue are defensive lapses—particularly in the infield—that have extended innings and added pressure to a staff already working with little margin for error.

Now, as the Mets prepare to close out the series in Atlanta, their margin for error while chasing postseason contention is quickly eroding.

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

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