Guardians’ Gavin Williams narrowly misses no-hitting the Mets in New York's ongoing struggle
Thousands of fans at Citi Field cheered Gavin Williams of the Cleveland Guardians as he left Wednesday's game to a standing ovation. Williams fell short of pitching a no-hitter when he gave up a home run to Juan Soto in the ninth inning, with the Guardians winning 4-1. Despite the Mets' struggles, the crowd showed respect with cheers, while most other scenes were met with boos.
The Mets failed to adjust at the plate, a recurring issue this season. After allowing the home run, Williams stayed in the game for two more batters, finishing one out shy of a complete game. He threw 126 pitches, allowing four walks and striking out six. Reliever Hunter Gaddis secured the final out for the save.
Williams effectively baffled the Mets' lineup with his pitching strategy, using a mix of pitches that kept the batters off balance. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged the team's struggle to adapt to the opponent's tactics.
Soto's home run ended the Mets' hit drought, which had lasted 13 innings, tying a franchise record. The win also prolonged Cleveland's no-hitter drought, the longest in the majors since 1981.
The Mets have been facing offensive challenges, losing eight of their last nine games. Their struggles at the plate have persisted, with a notable decline in performance since mid-June. Despite efforts to communicate and strategize, the team has not been able to convert these discussions into results.
Mendoza took responsibility for the team's inability to make adjustments, emphasizing the need for improvement in recognizing and countering opponents' strategies. The Mets' passive approach and tendency to miss opportunities were highlighted as areas needing attention.
Williams showcased a strong performance, but the Mets missed key opportunities to capitalize on his pitches. Mendoza acknowledged the team's potential and the need to make better use of scoring chances.
Cleveland's recent success on the field, with seven wins in their last ten games, positions them well in the race for the American League wild-card spot.