Gut Reaction: Royals 3, Mets 2 (7/13/25)
The Mets scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning to tie the game but allowed a run in the bottom of the frame and fell, 3-2, versus the Royals in Kansas City Sunday afternoon. The Mets enter the All-Star break at 55-42, a half-game behind the division-leading Phillies.
Ronny Mauricio led off the ninth with a double and scored on Jeff McNeil’s triple. McNeil scored on a sac fly that made it 2-2.
Sean Manaea, making his 2025 debut, was great thru the first three innings. But in the ninth he gave up a single to a speedster, who promptly stole second base and scored on a single to left field. It was a disappointing end to what had been a great outing by Manaea. He finished with 3.1 IP, 1 ER, 0 BB and 7 Ks.
Clay Holmes started and had one bad inning, when he gave up two runs in the second. He appeared to be hitting his stride – and looked like he could easily go another inning – but the plan all along was to have both Holmes and Manaea pitch in the game. Both pitchers looked good and Mets fans should feel good about the second half, now that Manaea and Kodai Senga are back.
Pete Alonso drew three walks, which was pretty surprising, although that rated as just the third-most-surprising thing from the offense. Tyrone Taylor had two hits!! And even Luisangel Acuna got in on the act, as he singled and went 1-3. It was Acuna’s first hit since June 15 and raised his OPS to .559 for the year.
I guess the best take away was Holmes still doing a good job and Manaea coming back from injury. With the way he and Montas have thrown so far, this rotation might just hold up. I said before yesterday’s game that Cameron would be a tough opponent but I really didn’t think the offense would take a day off. Day games on getaway day have always given them trouble. Time to bring Alvarez back up and give Torrens and his .206 batting average some rest. Glad to see Mauricio continuing to hit and he might just survive the trade deadline deals, if they would just go ahead and make some.
Gut Reaction: Holmes did a nice job and should have pitched one more inning because he only threw 81 pitches. Manaea was awesome in his season debut. I am looking forward to the second half with this rotation. McNeil had a clutch pinch-hit in the 9th inning. It is asinine that he is platooning when a lefty faces the Mets. Against left-handed pitching he has a 772 OPS. Acuna has a 650, Baty a 445, Mauricio 360 and Taylor 493 OPS against left-handed pitching. To me it doesn't make any Metsense.