Mets’ bullpen gamble with Ottavino backfires in loss to Phillies

In a crucial game against the Philadelphia Phillies, the New York Mets faced a significant setback when manager Carlos Mendoza opted to bring in Adam Ottavino from the bullpen in the fourth inning. The Mets were still in contention at that point, but the decision backfired dramatically. Ottavino's performance was lackluster, allowing a single that drove in a run and then giving up a three-run homer to Alec Bohm, which widened the deficit to six runs. David Peterson, the starting pitcher, had struggled, giving up four runs in just over three innings, prompting Mendoza's aggressive move. The Mets' bullpen as a whole faltered, surrendering a total of seven runs on nine hits throughout the game. In a desperate attempt to manage the situation, Mendoza even called on infielder Eddy Alvarez to pitch in the ninth inning. Ottavino, who had a 4.21 ERA for the season, expressed disappointment in his performance, acknowledging that he fell behind in counts and failed to finish hitters effectively. Mendoza noted that Ottavino's inability to execute in high-pressure situations contributed to the team's downfall. Ultimately, the Mets suffered a heavy 12-2 loss, which not only impacted their standing in the National League East but also raised questions about Mendoza's decision-making and the reliability of the bullpen moving forward.