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Mets waste tremendous bullpen effort in one-run loss to Braves: ‘Those are tough games to lose’

It’s been a bit of a struggle of late for the Mets’ bullpen.

With the starters failing to work deep into games, they’ve been very overworked. 

That was again the case on Monday night, but this time they were able to deliver. 

Paul Blackburn was knocked around by the Braves for the second straight outing and was pulled with two outs in the top of the fifth -- that marked the fifth straight game a Mets starter failed to finish five innings. 

But José Buttó entered into a first-and-third jam and needed just four pitches to clean up the mess, getting Michael Harris II to roll over to end the inning. 

He followed that up with a perfect top of the sixth. 

Ryne Stanek was handed the seventh and he fell into some trouble after issuing a walk and allowing a two-out single to Ozzie Albies, but he let out one of his signature roars after punching out Murphy with a nasty slider. 

Reed Garrett was called upon in the eighth, coming off back-to-back rough outings, and he rebounded nicely with a pair of strikeouts in a scoreless frame of his own. 

Edwin Diaz then entered for the ninth, pitching for the first time in five days, and he worked around a pair of hits, striking out Ozzie Albies on three pitches to keep the deficit at just one run. 

Unfortunately, the effort was wasted as the Mets’ offense failed to come through. 

“Those are tough games to lose,” Carlos Mendoza said. “When you use your high-leverage and aren’t able to close the deal -- we just have to turn the page, but I thought they did a hell of a job keeping us in the game.

“We only get 4.2 out of Blackburn and then everyone else kind of kept the game right there for us. Everybody that came out of that bullpen gave us a chance, we just couldn’t push those runs across.”

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Carlos Mendoza attributes Mets' hitting woes to trailing early, chasing: 'I wouldn't say pressure'

The common thread in most losing streaks is a collective slump at the plate, and the Mets can certainly attest to this notion in the midst of their unsettling mid-June swoon.

After falling to the division-rival Braves on Monday night at Citi Field, the Mets have now hit a measly .215 over a brutal 10-game stretch that's resulted in nine losses and pushed them out of first place in the NL East race.

To make matters worse, their season average with runners in scoring position is down to .219, which ranks second-worst in baseball.

While the Mets' lack of production during their 10-game downturn clearly speaks for itself -- they've scored 30 total runs despite hitting 15 home runs -- the woes have been contagious, from top to bottom in the lineup.

Francisco Lindor (.230) and Pete Alonso (.205) have been ice cold, and on Monday against the Braves, the Mets' bottom half of the order went a combined 2-for-17.

The Mets have allowed their opponent to draw first blood in seven of the last 10 games, and the challenge of trailing early has influenced approaches in the batter's box.

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza isn't willing to say the players are pressing, but he too has noticed the recent change in at-bat quality that's caused frustrations and yet to level.

"I don't think it's pressing, I think it's just the situations of the games during this stretch, where we've been playing from behind," Mendoza said. "We need to continue support the guys and continue to work, but it's about results, right? We continue to have all the confidence in these guys, but we've got to be better."

This past weekend against the rival Phillies showed some feast-or-famine offense, as the Mets scored 11 runs in a refreshing Saturday win that was sandwiched between Friday and Sunday losses that only produced a combined three runs.

The barrage on Saturday snapped an ugly seven-game slide, but they're now facing another three-game skid. And chances are they dip there again on Tuesday night, as the Braves are sending Spencer Strider to the mound and the Mets are relying on Frankie Montas, who looked anything but effective during his lengthy rehab assignment.

"We're relying so much on our top guys, and we have a lot of guys in the bottom of the lineup that are going through it right now," Mendoza said. "When that happens, once you get past the fourth or fifth batter, we're having a hard time creating opportunities. It's hard to score like that... We've got a few guys that are struggling."

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Mets’ Paul Blackburn ‘battled’ through second straight tough outing against Braves

Paul Blackburn continues to struggle since moving back into the Mets’ rotation.  

The veteran right-hander was knocked around by the Braves for the second straight outing on Monday night. 

As was the case during their meeting last week, Atlanta jumped on Blackburn early as they pushed a man into scoring position just three pitches into the game, but he was helped out by a heads-up play from Jeff McNeil. 

He wasn’t as lucky in the second, as the leadoff man reached and quickly advanced to second again, but he was able to limit the damage to just one run on a sacrifice fly thanks to a Juan Soto sliding catch. 

Ronald Acuña Jr. then led off the third with a solo shot, and after a double and two walks that loaded the bases with no outs, Blackburn settled down and was able to escape with just one more tally on the board.  

He finally put together a clean inning his next time out, but was unable to finish the fifth. 

Austin Riley crushed a triple high off the center field fence and Sean Murphy drew a two-out walk to chase him from the contest, but José Buttó entered and was able to close his line without further damage. 

Overall, Blackburn allowed three runs on six hits while walking three three over 4.2 innings of work. 

“I feel like I made some adjustments from the last time facing them,” he said. “I hung the curveball to Acuña and he hit it out, but other than that I felt like I made some pretty good pitches and really battled out there.”

Buttó and the rest of the Mets’ bullpen did a tremendous job keeping this one close behind Blackburn, but this was another game during this tough stretch where they were forced to take on a heavy workload. 

It marked the fifth straight contest the Mets’ starter was unable to finish five innings.

“Everything is magnified when you’re struggling,” Blackburn said. “Every night everyone is going out there giving their best shot -- obviously guys don’t want to go four innings, five innings. Guys would love to do what [David] Peterson’s been doing for us.

“It’s just come in, day-by-day, continue to work and sooner or later the tide is going to turn.”

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Mets’ Juan Soto on pivotal eighth-inning strikeout against Braves’ Dylan Lee: ‘He just got me’

You couldn’t have scripted it any better for the Mets. 

After trailing the Braves for the first seven innings on Monday night, they found themselves finally piecing together a two-out rally against struggling right-hander Raisel Iglesias in the bottom of the eighth. 

Citi Field was absolutely rocking as Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo lined back-to-back singles to bring the scorching-hot Juan Soto to the plate with the tying run just 90 feet away.

Braves manager Brian Snitker elected to go with the lefty-lefty matchup, turning to Dylan Lee. 

It was a matchup the Mets certainly liked, with Soto having two hits in his career against Lee. But the reliever got the best of him this time around, as he chased on a 3-2 slider down and out of the zone. 

“For me, I just have a plan up there and try to execute it,” Soto said after Monday's loss. “I try my best to get on base and try to get Pete [Alonso] up with the bases loaded or first and second or whatever the situation. But it didn’t happen -- he made a really good pitch and I just couldn’t come through, he got me there.” 

That ended up being the turning point, as the Mets went down quietly in the ninth and suffered their fourth consecutive loss to their division rival.

While Soto wasn’t able to come through in that spot, he did deliver earlier in the game. 

The Mets were shut down by right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach over the first 5.2 innings until the star outfielder stepped to the plate and crushed an opposite-field, two-run shot to get them on the board. 

It was Soto’s 17th of the season and his eighth this month. 

While the Mets have been struggling mightily offensively, he’s certainly found his footing, hitting .324 with 11 extra base-hits, 16 RBI, and a 1.188 OPS in June. 

“I’m trusting in what I have and what I’ve been doing since Day 1,” Soto said. “I’ve just been trusting it and now it’s finally starting to come through.”

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Yankees struggle to produce big hit in 6-1 loss to Reds

The Yankees couldn't make the most of a few mid-inning rallies on Monday night, as they fell to the Cincinnati Reds, 6-1, in their series opener at Great American Ball Park.

Here are the takeaways...

-- The Yankees didn't waste much time drawing first blood against Reds starter Nick Lodolo. With two outs in the first inning, Aaron Judge crushed a fastball deep to left that landed in the second deck for a solo home run. The 398-foot moonshot was No. 28 on the season for Judge, who remains on pace for a second straight 58-homer campaign. He nearly connected on No. 29 in the third, but his flyout fell a couple feet shy of the wall in center.

-- With a rotation spot open due to Ryan Yarbrough's oblique injury, the Yankees called up Allan Winans from Triple-A to make his 2025 debut, and he provided mixed results. The 29-year-old right-hander worked effectively early on, facing the minimum through the first three innings on just 24 pitches. But he fell into trouble in the fourth, giving up a game-tying triple to Elly De La Cruz, an RBI sac fly to Spencer Steer, and a solo homer to Gavin Lux.

-- The Yankees had opportunities to inflict further damage on Lodolo -- who was pulled with one out in the fifth at 94 pitches -- but couldn't capitalize with traffic on the basepaths. They left six on base through five innings, going 0-for-8 with RISP. Winans returned for a fifth inning of work but didn't complete it, as another jam produced a fourth Reds run and forced him at 62 pitches with one out. Ian Hamilton was then tasked with cleaning up a bases-loaded mess, and he did just that by inducing a double-play grounder. Winans gave up those four runs on five hits and only struck out one.

-- Hamilton kept the Reds off the board in the sixth and seventh innings, registering a pair of strikeouts, but Tim Hill replaced him with one out in the latter frame and worked around a single by inducing an inning-ending double play. In the eighth, the Yankees had yet another prime chance to score following a leadoff double by Cody Bellinger -- his second of the game -- and a walk to Judge. But the threat didn't faze Reds reliever Tony Santillan, who proceeded to strike out Giancarlo Stanton and Jazz Chisholm Jr. and force Anthony Volpe into a groundout.

-- The Reds bumped their lead to 5-1 in the eighth, when De La Cruz smacked a sinker from Hill to the right-field seats for his 17th homer this season. Mark Leiter Jr. then entered in relief after the longball, and saw an inning-ending grounder plate a sixth Reds run due to an errant throw to first by Volpe. While the Yankees made Lodolo labor all night, they didn't make the Reds' bullpen sweat too much. They logged just two hits over the final 4.2 frames, striking out seven times. Overall, they fanned 13 times and went 0-for-12 with RISP.

Game MVP: Elly De La Cruz

The Reds' shortstop showcased his elite pop and speed, finishing 3-for-4 with a solo homer, game-tying triple, RBI single, and two runs scored. He's now hitting .272 this season with an .861 OPS -- currently career-high marks.

Highlights

What's next

The Yankees (45-33) will play the middle game of their series on Tuesday night, with first pitch scheduled for 7:10 p.m.

Carlos Rodón (9-5, 3.10 ERA) is slated to take the mound, opposite Reds top prospect Chase Burns, making his MLB debut.

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Juan Soto homers, but wastes late opportunity as Mets fall to Braves in series opener

The Mets were defeated by the Atlanta Braves, 3-2, in the series opener on Monday night at Citi Field.

Here are some takeaways...

- As was the case in their meeting last week, the Braves were able to jump on Paul Blackburn, putting baserunners on in each inning against him. The righty was helped by a heads-up play from Jeff McNeil to escape without damage in the first, but a sacrifice fly brought home the first run of the game in the second.

Ronald Acuña Jr. led off the third with a solo shot to center, then a double and two walks loaded the bases with nobody out. Blackburn did a nice job of bearing down from there and was able to escape with just one more tally on the board via a sacrifice fly.

He finally put together a clean inning his next time out, but was pulled in the fifth after allowing an Austin Riley triple and a two-out walk. José Buttó entered and retired the first batter he faced to close Blackburn's line at three runs on six hits and three walks with five strikeouts over 4.2 innings.

It marked the fifth straight game the Mets received five innings or fewer from their starter.

- After they struck for four runs and two homers against him last week in Atlanta, the Mets weren't able to get much of anything going against Spencer Schwellenbach. They managed just two singles over the first five innings, but finally broke through in the sixth.

Juan Soto made the young right-hander pay for a two-out walk to Brandon Nimmo, demolishing an opposite-field, two-run homer to make it a one-run ballgame. It was Soto's 17th long ball of the season and the third of his career against Schwellenbach.

The star outfielder would step to the plate in a golden opportunity a few innings later -- Francisco Lindor and Brandon Nimmo lined back-to-back two-out singles to push the tying run to third -- but Soto struck out on a nasty 3-2 slider out of the zone from left-hander Dylan Lee.

- Lee set down Pete Alonso, Jeff McNeil, and Tyrone Taylor to close this one out in the ninth.

- While it was for naught, the Mets' bullpen did a good job of keeping them in the game. Ryne Stanek let out a big roar after pitching his way out of a jam in the seventh, Reed Garrett struck out a pair in the eighth, and then Edwin Diaz worked around two hits in the ninth.

- Brett Baty has gotten off to a bit of a slow start since returning from the IL, but he put together a much-needed strong showing at the plate, picking up two of the four knocks against Schwellenbach.

- The Mets have now lost nine of their last 10 games and four straight against the Braves.

Game MVP: Dylan Lee

The southpaw set down the scorching Soto in the biggest spot of the game.

Highlights

What's next

The Mets and Braves continue their four-game set on Tuesday at 7:10 p.m.

Frankie Montas makes his Mets debut against Spencer Strider (2-5, 3.89 ERA) on SNY.

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Mavericks reportedly reach three year, $54.7 million extension with Daniel Gafford

Daniel Gafford has agreed to an extension with the Dallas Mavericks — but he still could be traded this summer.

ESPN’s Shams Charania broke the news that "Gafford intends to sign a three-year contract extension worth nearly $60 million." The reality is that Gafford's maximum extension off his current deal is $54.7 million, which is likely what this is for (with some very generous rounding up, you can get to "near $60 million"). This is three years added to the $14.4 million already on the final year of his existing contract, and the deal will now run through the summer of 2029. There is no option on the final year of the deal, it's a straight three years, reports Dallas-based writer Grant Afseth.

That's a lot of money for a backup center, but Gafford is not an average backup. Last season he averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks a game and started 31 games for the Mavericks. He is a solid defender and scorer at the rim, but he does not space the floor — 69% of his shot attempts last season were in the restricted area, and he hasn't attempted a 3-pointer for three seasons. Shooting that much at the rim has its advantages, Gafford shot 70.2% from the field last season.

After the NBA Draft, Dallas will have a packed frontcourt with Anthony Davis, Dereck Lively II, P.J. Washington, Gafford and now Cooper Flagg.

Gafford's name has come up as a possible trade target for teams needing a center, including the Los Angeles Lakers, where Gafford could pair with his old running partner Luka Doncic. This extension, once signed (after July 6), would not preclude him from being traded. However, the Mavericks are going to be seeking a steep price to send Gafford to Los Angeles or anywhere else.

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Analyzing every Nashville Predators first round NHL Draft pick: 1998-2002

While the Nashville Predators aren't the oldest franchise in the NHL, they have a lot of history of picking in the first round of the NHL Draft.

In its 27-year history, the Predators have selected 25 times in the first round. Amongst those first-round selections, some have had massive success in Nashville, others have found it elsewhere, and a few have been busts.

With the Predators picking fifth, 23rd and 26th overall in this year's draft, we take a look back at every first-round pick by Nashville. 

1998: David Legwand (center, 2nd overall) 

Nov 25, 2009; Denver, CO, USA; Nashville Predators center David Legwand (11) looks for a teammate to pass to from behind the Colorado Avalanche net at the Pepsi Center. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images 

The original Nashville Predator, center David Legwand, was the organization's first-ever draft pick at second overall in 1998. 

As one of the top prospects in his draft class, Legwand scored 105 points in 59 games for the OHL's Playmouth Whalers during the 1997-98 season.

He contracted mononucleosis during Predators training camp and ended up playing an extra season in the OHL, recording 80 points in 55 games. 

Legwand spent the bulk of his career with the Predators, playing in 956 games and scoring 566 points. Legwand was traded to the Detroit Red Wings at the end of the 2013-14 season, which coincided with the expiration of his contract with Nashville. 

He'd play 1,136 games in the NHL and score 618 points. 

1999: Brian Finley (goalie, 6th overall) 

Dec 13, 2005; Sunrise, FL, USA; Nashville Predators goalie (31) Brian Finley gave up 7 goals in his NHL debut against the Florida Panthers at the BankAtlantic Center in Sunrise, FL. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images Copyright © 2005 Jason Parkhurst

It's always a risk to take a goalie so high, but the Predators took the jump in selecting Barrie Colts goaltender Brian Finley with the sixth overall pick.

It should be noted that the Predators passed on goalie Ryan Miller in this draft, who was selected by the Buffalo Sabres 138th overall and would go on to win the Vezina Trophy in 2010.

During the 1998-99 season, Finley posted a 23-14-1 record with the Colts, holding a 2.92 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. He'd play three more seasons in the OHL before joining the Predators during the 2002-03 season. 

He'd played one game that season with the Predators, coming in relief of Tomas Vokoun. Finley allowed three goals on 13 shots. He'd spend some time with the Milwaukee Admirals, winning the Calder Cup in 2004. 

Finley got his second shot with the Predators during the 2005-06 season, where he'd allow seven goals on 41 shots in a loss to the Florida Panthers. He signed with the Boston Bruins during the 2006 offseason, playing two games before retiring in 2007. 

2000: Scott Hartnell (forward, 6th overall) 

Dec 16, 2017; Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Nashville Predators left wing Scott Hartnell (17) looks on during warmups prior to the game against the Calgary Flames at Scotiabank Saddledome. Mandatory Credit: Sergei Belski-Imagn Images

One of the most notable "tough guys" in NHL history, Prince Albert Raiders forward Scott Harnell got his NHL start with the Predators. 

Amounting 230 penalty minutes in 128 games played in the Western Hockey League, Hartnell also proved that he could find the back of the net, scoring 91 points in that stretch.

He quickly made an impact as one of the Predators' heavy hitters, recording 48 penalty minutes in 75 games in his rookie year. Hartnell had three seasons with the Nashville Predators, during which he accumulated 100+ penalty minutes. 

Hartnell still found ways to be productive. During the 2006-07 season, he had a plus/minus of 19. To the Predators' misfortune, he really hit his stride when he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in 2007. 

With the Flyers, Hartnell eclipsed 140 penalty minutes in four straight seasons and had a career high 67 points in 82 games during the 2010-11 season. He also helped the Flyers reach the 2010 Stanley Cup Final.

He'd play over 1,200 NHL games, score 707 points and log 1,809 penalty minutes. 

Hartnell returned to Nashville for the 2017-18 season, which was his final year. He recorded 24 points in 62 games and 82 penalty minutes. 

2001: Dan Hamhuis (defenseman, 12th overall) 

March 9, 2008; Detroit, MI, USA; Nashville Predators defenseman Dan Hamhuis (2) skates up ice during the Predators 4-3 loss to the Detroit Red Wings at Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Leon Halip-Imagn Images

The first defenseman to be selected by the Predators in the first round, Prince George Cougars defenseman Dan Hamhuis put up some impressive junior numbers.

During the 2000-01 season, he had 59 points in 62 games. His second season with the Predators, coming out of the 2005 NHL lockout, was the best of his career. Hamhuis had 38 points in 82 games and a plus/minus of 11. 

He was a consistent producer with the Predators, but, similar to Harnell, he found his stride when he left for another team. Hamhuis signed with the Vancouver Canucks in 2010 and the following season made a run to the Stanley Cup Final. 

In back-to-back seasons with Vancouver, he had a plus/minus of 29 and just his second 30+ point season of his career in 2011-12. Hamhuis would also win a Gold Medal with Canada at the 2014 Winter Olympics. 

Hamhuis returned to Nashville to play his final two seasons in 2018. He recorded 13 points in 117 games. 

2002: Scottie Upshall (forward, 6th overall) 

Mar 28, 2006; Glendale, AZ, USA; Nashville Predators right wing (7) Scottie Upshall warms up before playing the Phoenix Coyotes at Glendale Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images Copyright Rick Scuteri

Six seems to be the magic number for the Predators, as three of five picks in the first round from 1998 to 2002 have been at the number six spot.

This time, the Predators went for Kamloops Blazers forward Scottie Upshall, who put up 83 points in 61 games in his draft season. He was also known for his tougher style of play, racking up 139 penalty minutes during the 2001-02 season. 

Upshall struggled to find a consistent spot on the Predators' roster. Between 2002 and 2007, he bounced back and forth between Nashville and Milwaukee. His best season was in 2005-06, where he scored 34 points in 48 games and had a plus/minus of 14.

He still found himself back in Milwaukee the following season before he was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers in 2007 for two draft picks and Peter Forsberg.

Upshall found a permanent spot in the NHL playing 759 games between the Predators, Flyers, Phoenix Coyotes, Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers and St. Louis Blues. His best season came in 2013-14, when he had 37 points in 76 games. 

He played his final game in the NHL during the 2017-18 season with the St. Louis Blues. Upshall played one more professional season with Ambri-Piotta of the Swiss-A hockey league before retiring. 

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Celtics trade Jrue Holiday to Trail Blazers, acquire Anfernee Simons: Report

Celtics trade Jrue Holiday to Trail Blazers, acquire Anfernee Simons: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

The NBA offseason is already in full swing.

Just a day after the NBA Finals ended, the Boston Celtics traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday night.

Boston remain engaged in trade talks for multiple key players on its roster, Charania added.

Holiday was a key contributor to Boston’s 2024 NBA title, playing lockdown defense and being a playmaking hub on offense. The 35-year-old agreed to a four-year, $135 million extension in April of 2024.

Simons, 26, is on an expiring contract worth north of $27 million. The 2018 No. 24 overall pick has developed into a solid multi-level scorer, but Portland has struggled to build a playoff team in the post-Damian Lillard era.

Portland initially received Holiday in its 2023 trade that sent Lillard to Milwaukee before rerouting him to Boston.

This past season, Holiday averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists on a 44/35/91 shooting split. Simons with Portland averaged 19.3 points, 4.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds on a 43/36/90 shooting split.

Shaedon Sharpe, Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton, Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija were the other key scorers for Portland this past season, though the team doesn’t have a clear direction yet in terms of contending vs. building.

Boston seems to be retooling, letting go of a championship-caliber squad piece for a potential lead scoring guard as Jayson Tatum rehabs from a torn Achilles. With Boston seemingly eyeing more moves, how Simons fits into the wider scheme will be more clear.

This is a developing story and will be updated…

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Celtics trade Jrue Holiday to Trail Blazers, acquire Anfernee Simons: Report

Celtics trade Jrue Holiday to Trail Blazers, acquire Anfernee Simons: Report originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The NBA offseason is already in full swing.

Just a day after the NBA Finals ended, the Boston Celtics traded Jrue Holiday to the Portland Trail Blazers for Anfernee Simons and two second-round picks, ESPN’s Shams Charania reported Monday night.

Boston remain engaged in trade talks for multiple key players on its roster, Charania added.

Holiday was a key contributor to Boston’s 2024 NBA title, playing lockdown defense and being a playmaking hub on offense. The 35-year-old agreed to a four-year, $135 million extension in April of 2024.

Simons, 26, is on an expiring contract worth north of $27 million. The 2018 No. 24 overall pick has developed into a solid multi-level scorer, but Portland has struggled to build a playoff team in the post-Damian Lillard era.

Portland initially received Holiday in its 2023 trade that sent Lillard to Milwaukee before rerouting him to Boston.

This past season, Holiday averaged 11.1 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.9 assists on a 44/35/91 shooting split. Simons with Portland averaged 19.3 points, 4.8 assists and 2.7 rebounds on a 43/36/90 shooting split.

Shaedon Sharpe, Jerami Grant, Deandre Ayton, Scoot Henderson and Deni Avdija were the other key scorers for Portland this past season, though the team doesn’t have a clear direction yet in terms of contending vs. building.

Boston seems to be retooling, letting go of a championship-caliber squad piece for a potential lead scoring guard as Jayson Tatum rehabs from a torn Achilles. With Boston seemingly eyeing more moves, how Simons fits into the wider scheme will be more clear.

This is a developing story and will be updated…