New York Mets end up on the wrong side of baseball history

The New York Mets made the wrong kind of MLB history Thursday, losing in a way not seen before in the modern era.

Sep 11, 2025; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza (64) jogs back to the dugout after a pitching change during the sixth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

Things were looking up for the New York Mets when they jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning of Thursday’s series finale against the Philadelphia Phillies.

But as has been the story of their season, their comfortable cushion quickly evaporated.

The Mets wound up losing 6-4, sealing a four-game sweep in a crucial road series against their division rivals. Not only did they blow a four-run lead, they did not get a single baserunner after Starling Marte’s two-run double in the first. Phillies pitchers Jesús Luzardo and Jhoan Duran combined for 8.2 perfect innings after that moment.

According to OptaSTATS, the Mets are the only MLB team in the modern era (since 1901) to score four or more runs in the first inning, fail to record another baserunner the rest of the game, and lose.

The Mets are the only MLB team in the modern era to score 4+ runs in the first inning but have nobody reach base the rest of the game and end up losing.

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) September 12, 2025

On June 12, the Mets held a 45-24 record and led the NL East by 5.5 games. Now, following Thursday’s loss, New York (76-71) trails first-place Philadelphia (87-60) by 11 games — all but eliminating their chances in the division with just 15 games left in the regular season.

But the Mets are in danger of losing more than just the NL East. Coming off a trip to the NLCS and making the splash of the offseason by signing Juan Soto to a 15-year, $765 million contract, the club could miss the postseason altogether in 2025.

Exactly one week ago, the Mets were tied for the second wild-card spot while holding a four-game lead over the San Francisco Giants and a six-game lead over the Cincinnati Reds. Six consecutive losses later, they enter Friday’s series opener against the Texas Rangers clinging to a 1.5-game cushion over both teams for the third and final spot.

“I'm not going to say that I'm worried, but we don't have too much time,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said following Thursday night’s loss. “Teams are right behind us. The way you look at is we're still in control of the situation."

Carlos Mendoza was asked how worried he is about the Mets right now:

"I'm not going to say that I'm worried, but we don't have too much time. Teams are right behind us. The way you look at is we're still in control of the situation" pic.twitter.com/Wpc26lGHOH

— SNY (@SNYtv) September 12, 2025

Getting back on track will not be easy, as their next test comes against former Mets ace Jacob deGrom. Through 27 starts this season, the 37-year-old right-hander is 11-7 with a 2.78 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 9.8 K/9 rate over 155.2 innings. It is his first time crossing the 100-inning threshold since 2019, when he earned his second Cy Young Award.

Read More: Mets shut down key pitcher in major blow to staff

The good news for the Mets is that the game takes place at Citi Field, where they are 45-27 this season. They carry a 31-44 record on the road.

Rookie right-hander Jonah Tong will take the mound for New York opposite deGrom in his third MLB start. The 22-year-old has tallied 12 strikeouts and allowed eight runs (five earned) in his first 11 big league innings.