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The light at the end of the New York Mets clubhouse tunnel appeared bright after Francisco Lindor hit a three-run homer in the bottom of the third inning, and starter Nolan McLean was blowing away the Minnesota Twins’ batters, taking a no-hitter into the sixth inning.
The Mets’ losing streak of 11 games when they returned home Tuesday, the franchise’s longest since 2004, was on track to end at Citi Field.
Until it wasn’t.
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New York Mets reliever Devin Williams reacts after walking in a run in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field in New York City on April 21, 2026. (Wendell Cruz/Image Images)
McLean’s no-hitter ended when Matt Wallner singled to lead off the sixth inning, but the young starter in Team USA’s World Baseball Classic rotation was able to get the next two batters out. But his Team USA teammate, center fielder Byron Buxton, gave all Mets fans a “here we go again” moment when he hit a two-run home run to left field to cut New York’s lead to just one run.
McLean took the mound for the top of the seventh inning instead of manager Carlos Mendoza going to the bullpen, and Luke Keaschall tied the game after hitting a single off Kody Clemens, who doubled to right field just one at-bat earlier. It was a 3-3 game and, just like that, the Mets’ losing streak was about to extend.
The wheels fell off in the top of the ninth inning, when reliever Devin Williams, who has struggled in his previous two outings, made sure the losing streak continued.
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Williams walked Josh Bell and Ryan Jeffers to start the inning, and Kody Clemens’ sacrifice bunt ended the bases loaded after the Mets failed to secure an out. Keaschall then had another decisive single, scoring James Outman with the eventual winning run.
Williams’ lack of control cost him once again after the Twins’ first lead of the night, walking Wallner to allow a free run to jog home from third base. It could have been even worse if it weren’t for Austin Warren coming into the game and striking out all three Twins he faced to stop the bleeding.
Nolan McLean of the New York Mets reacts in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field in New York City on April 21, 2026. (Elsa/Getty Images)
But, with a two-run deficit in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Mets couldn’t muster their own magic to come back. Luis Torrens struck out, Francisco Álvarez lined to right field and Tyrone Taylor struck out swinging. In fact, the Mets didn’t get a hit in the final five innings of the loss.
Now, for the first time since 2002, the Mets, owners of the MLB’s highest payroll at about $334 million, have lost 12 consecutive games.
Some fans entered the stadium with paper bags over their heads and tears streaming from their cut-out eyes. There may have been a time where they came close to taking them away, but that’s how things are going for the Mets right now.
“They’re not going to be happy, that’s not a secret,” Mendoza said before Tuesday’s loss, according to ESPN. “Our fan base will let you know when you’re not playing well.”
A New York Mets fan expresses frustration during the game against the Minnesota Twins at Citi Field in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens, New York, on April 21, 2026. (Elsa/Getty Images)
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This is a Mets team with playoff expectations, but their losing streak has them with a 7-16 record, tied for worst in the MLB with the Kansas City Royals.
New York will try it all again tomorrow in Flushing, Queens, with Clay Holmes starting for the Mets. And perhaps the last shred of hope for fans is that Juan Soto, their superstar outfielder, is expected to return to the lineup after dealing with a calf strain.
