Mets Finally Won a Game and Nobody's Ready For What That Means

David Stearns said the job was safe. Then the Mets went out and proved him right, at least for one night.

After their front office chief publicly backed Carlos Mendoza on Friday, New York absolutely needed to deliver a win to turn down the heat. And they did, mounting their biggest comeback of the season to edge the Angels 4-3 with Ronny Mauricio's go-ahead homer in the seventh. Now they're heading to Anaheim looking to string together something the Mets haven't had much success with lately: a series win.

When You're 11-21, Even One Victory Feels Massive

Let's be real about where the Mets are right now. They have the worst record in all of baseball at 11-21. That's their fourth win in the last 21 games. And here's the brutal part: their 32-game start is the second-worst in franchise history, trailing only the 1981 team that opened 8-23-1.

Stearns didn't fire Mendoza, but that Friday night win matters because it buys time. Mendoza's in the final guaranteed year of his deal, and Stearns completely overhauled both the coaching staff and roster after last year's second-half collapse cost them a playoff spot. But the additions haven't delivered. Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr., who were supposed to be your designated hitter and center fielder on Opening Day, are both hurt. Luke Weaver and Devin Williams, brought in to close games after New York got outbid for Edwin Diaz by the Dodgers, posted just their sixth scoreless outing all season Friday.

The difference was the fight. Against Angels starter Walbert Urena, who blanked them through five innings on just one hit, the Mets came alive after Urena took a line drive off his knee in the sixth. Three runs scored in that inning. Mauricio did the rest.

The Angels Are Falling Apart

Los Angeles has been even worse. The Angels are tied for last in the AL West with Houston after dropping their seventh straight Friday to fall to 1-11 since a hot 11-10 start. Their offense has completely flatlined. Through April 17 they had the second-most runs in baseball at 113. In this skid? Just 40 runs, the third-fewest in the majors.

The bullpen is a disaster. Angels relievers haven't combined for a scoreless effort since April 19. Brent Suter knows it's ugly. "What we can't do is fold the tent," he said. "Can't do it. This is too hard of a league to fold the tent."

Saturday's Matchup: Two Teams Fighting For Momentum

Nolan McLean (1-2, 2.55 ERA) takes the ball for the Mets against Angels left-hander Reid Detmers (1-2, 4.28 ERA) in the middle game of this three-game set in Anaheim. Neither starter has faced the other before, though Detmers gave up one run in one inning against New York back on July 21 in a 7-5 loss.

This is the kind of series the Mets need to win. First one in a while.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.