Mets' Lindor discusses botched game-winning double play vs. Red Sox

New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Mets' Francisco Lindor discusses botched game-winning double play vs. Red Sox

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Jul 12, 2026 7:00 PM ET

Just when it seems things can't get worse for the New York Mets, they do.

It appeared the Mets, who have continually found ways to make the wrong kind of history this season, would finally win on Sunday. They entered the top of the ninth inning in their home game against the Boston Red Sox leading 2-0. Then, as it has numerous times this season, it all went wrong for New York.

Francisco Lindor's botched double play leads to a ninth-inning collapse for Mets

With one out and Red Sox center fielder Ceddanne Rafaela on first, designated hitter Romy Gonzalez hit a grounder toward Lindor, giving him a chance to seal the game with a routine double play.

It's probably one Lindor has made thousands of times in his 12-year career. Alas, he didn't on Sunday. Instead, the five-time All-Star dropped the ball and tripped, allowing both runners to advance.

Francisco Lindor boots a potential game-ending double play and doesn't get any outs pic.twitter.com/j1oVOoFv3j
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 12, 2026

"The ball ate me up," Lindor said postgame. "Went after it and just took a higher hop and just hit me on the palm of the hand, palm and wrist area. Just didn't make the play. Unacceptable."

"The ball ate me up. Went after it and it just took a higher hop and just hit me on the palm of the hand, palm and wrist area. Just didn't make the play. Unacceptable."

- Francisco Lindor on his error in the 9th inning pic.twitter.com/JAZrDVn0k2
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 12, 2026

Lindor's error gave Boston newfound hope. Rafaela and shortstop Tsung-Che Cheng — who pitch-ran for Gonzalez — both scored. Lindor could've atoned for his mistake in the bottom of the ninth inning, but he failed to do so, popping out to second. The Mets failed to score, sending the game to extra innings.

In the top of the 10th inning, Boston designated hitter Masataka Yoshida scored on a sacrifice fly from second baseman Anthony Seigler. That gave Boston a 3-2 lead, which was enough to secure the win. The Red Sox are now 46-48 and have gone 9-1 over their last 10 games. The Mets, meanwhile, are 40-57 and have gone 4-6 over their last 10.

One might look for a silver lining for the Mets, but there isn't one. Plays like Lindor's error have become par for the course in what's turning into a nightmare season for a team that was considered a preseason World Series contender.

Clark Dalton

Clark Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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