The New York Mets continued their struggles this season, losing another series after falling 5-3 to the Reds in Cincinnati on Tuesday night. A notable moment came in the second inning when veteran Marcus Semien requested an ABS challenge. The call was upheld, and by the end of the 2nd inning, the Mets had used all their challenges for the game.
As Semien’s hasty decision went viral on social media, fans shared their reactions to the disappointing moment for a team already in a deep slump, questioned some of their challenge reviews, and called for greater accountability from experienced players on the roster. Even the sportscasters were dumbfounded by the Mets losing their challenges so early in the game.
“After wasting away the Mets’ last challenge in the 2nd inning, Marcus Semien doesn’t cover 1st on a routine bunt, which opens the door for a massive inning. Don’t worry, Carlos Mendoza will chuckle and tell you, “We’re gonna need this guy, you know?” The team is a joke with 0 leaders,” one fan commented.
“Start fining them for bad challenges,” another fan commented.
“This is just bad managing and general stupidity,” yet another fan commented.
Some fans also questioned the manager’s involvement, suggesting that the manager should guide players on when to call for a challenge during their at-bat.
“Semien has done this more than once. It’s up to the manager to take control of this… set the rules and criteria for when, who, and what situations. No random, no one on base low leverage situations. No selfish stupidity,” one fan commented.
“Managing at its best. Perhaps the manager should talk to the team to explain when to challenge. Yep, the manager is going nowhere because the GM is delusional,” another fan commented.
“They obviously have no respect for the manager,” yet another fan commented.
Mets Manager Argued Team Needs to Do a Better Job Moving Forward
The lack of challenges in the game contributed to manager Carlos Mendoza’s ejection for the first time this season. Home plate umpire Carlos Torres ejected him twice: first, after hearing dissent from the visiting dugout, and second, when Mendoza stepped out and briefly argued with Torres over a balls-and-strikes call in the seventh inning.
Mendoza reflected on the entire incident that occurred before his ejection during the postgame interview. “Obviously, I wasn’t pleased with the strike zone, especially with that Benge at-bat there. I went back and looked at some of the pitches, and I wasn’t happy about it,” Mendoza said.
“We were super aggressive today. Especially you lose that first one right there early, a little too much there. We’ve got to do a better job. And that’s something we will continue to talk to the guys about,” he added.
New York will complete the inter-divisional series against the Reds on Wednesday, then travel to Philadelphia to play a three-game series against the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park, starting Friday.
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