Carlos Mendoza Under Fire for Decision in Mets' 11th Straight Loss
The New York Mets reached a new low on Sunday, officially getting swept by the Chicago Cubs and extending their losing streak to 11 games. The club lost all six games on their road trip and will get an off day on Monday before opening a homestand at Citi Field.
Unfortunately for the Mets, they are not likely to be greeted warmly by fans who are extremely disappointed with the product so far.
New York has the worst record in the league at 7-15 after nearly a month of action, and they entered the year with the second-highest payroll in MLB. Expectations were to return to the postseason after last year's second-half collapse, but at this pace that seems unlikely.
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!!!!!"
I can't imagine letting Hoerner ever hit in that situation. Why even try? Guy makes contact in his sleep. Cubs sweep. Mets lose their 11th in a row.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) April 19, 2026
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.
Related: Mets Announce Roster Move Before Dodgers Game
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This story was originally published April 19, 2026 at 2:52 PM.