Mets Collapse Against A’s: Pete Alonso Can’t Carry the Team Alone – What’s the Secret Behind New York’s Shocking Loss?

The New York Mets entered the 2025 MLB season with high hopes, built around their star slugger Pete Alonso, a rejuvenated pitching staff, and the fresh leadership of manager Carlos Mendoza. But under the California sun on a chilly Saturday afternoon in West Sacramento, all those expectations took another gut punch. The Oakland Athletics handed the Mets a sobering 3-1 loss at Sutter Health Park—a defeat that not only highlighted the flaws in New York’s offensive depth but also reminded fans that Alonso can’t carry the team alone.

While Pete Alonso has put up MVP-level numbers to start the season, the rest of the Mets’ offensive lineup has failed to provide consistent support. This loss marked the fifth time this year that the team scored two runs or fewer, raising serious questions about the sustainability of their current approach and their playoff aspirations.

Pete Alonso’s Heroics Aren’t Enough

Let’s be clear: Pete Alonso is doing everything in his power to carry the load for the Mets. Through just over two weeks of baseball, the first baseman boasts an OPS of 1.164, showcasing his power, patience, and elite contact hitting. His early-season dominance has helped keep the Mets competitive even when everything else seemed to falter.

But on Saturday, Alonso went 0-for-4, and the team collapsed without their usual sparkplug. For all his strengths, even a power hitter like Alonso is not immune to occasional slumps or bad days at the plate. The Mets’ glaring issue? When Alonso isn’t producing, no one else consistently steps up to fill the void.

Manager Carlos Mendoza summed it up best after the game:

“Right now, Pete’s kind of carrying us. But we’ve got guys getting on base, creating traffic. It’ll come.”

Juan Soto and Francisco Lindor Need to Deliver

It’s easy to praise Alonso, but what about the team’s other stars? The Mets made headlines with their blockbuster acquisition of Juan Soto, one of the most feared hitters in the game. But in 14 games, Soto has just one home run and four RBIs—a shocking output for a player known for his ability to change games with one swing.

Likewise, Francisco Lindor, the face of the franchise and defensive leader, has struggled mightily at the plate. His cold bat has become a recurring issue, stalling rallies and leaving runners stranded. Both Soto and Lindor are supposed to be middle-of-the-lineup catalysts, but their combined inconsistency is sinking any momentum the team tries to build.

When your top three hitters are Alonso, Soto, and Lindor, and only one of them is producing, the lineup becomes easier to navigate for opposing pitchers. The Athletics’ JT Ginn, a former Mets prospect, exposed that reality by tossing 5⅓ strong innings with six strikeouts and just one earned run.

Brandon Nimmo Brings Power But Not Consistency

Brandon Nimmo provided a bright spot by launching his fourth home run of the season, which was the only run the Mets would score in the game. But despite the power surge, Nimmo is still batting just .208, making him a streaky contributor rather than a dependable offensive force.

The Mets need Nimmo to bring more than occasional pop—they need contact hitting, plate discipline, and run creation. If he continues to struggle with consistency, the lineup becomes increasingly reliant on Alonso, which is proving to be a recipe for frustration.

Jose Siri Injury Adds to Offensive Woes

As if offensive inconsistency wasn’t enough, the Mets may now have to deal with the potential absence of Jose Siri, who left the game in the second inning after fouling a ball off his left shin. While X-rays were negative, Siri needed crutches after the game and didn’t rule out a trip to the injured list.

The Mets cannot afford to lose more depth. Siri’s speed, defense, and energy have been valuable assets in the outfield. His potential absence will test an already shaky lineup that’s struggling to produce runs even when healthy.

“I’m in a lot of pain,” Siri said through a translator. “It feels like it hit bone. I don’t feel like I have strength in that leg right now.”

David Peterson Quietly Shines

While the offense faltered, David Peterson quietly turned in another solid performance on the mound. The left-hander went six innings, allowing two runs on seven hits, with five strikeouts. It was the second time this season that Peterson has completed six full innings—making him the only Mets starter to do so more than once.

Peterson’s reliability has become a surprise asset for the Mets’ rotation, but his strong efforts are being wasted by an offense that too often fails to provide run support.

If the Mets want to climb the standings and contend in the NL East, they must reward performances like Peterson’s with wins. Solid pitching without run production is a classic blueprint for disappointment.

Is the Mets’ Lineup Too Top-Heavy?

The question must now be asked: Are the Mets too top-heavy? With Alonso doing the heavy lifting and Soto and Lindor underwhelming, the rest of the lineup lacks the punch and patience to pick up the slack.

The bench has not contributed meaningfully, and younger players have yet to make a statement. The team’s approach at the plate appears disjointed—sometimes over-aggressive, sometimes overly cautious—and pitchers are exploiting it. Mets hitters are swinging early in counts but failing to drive balls into the gaps or over the fence.

Even more troubling, Mets batters have combined for five games this season scoring two runs or fewer, an indicator that this isn’t a one-off slump but a developing trend.

Carlos Mendoza’s Patience Will Be Tested

Manager Carlos Mendoza is maintaining a calm and composed demeanor, projecting optimism about the team’s offensive trajectory. But behind closed doors, there must be concern about the lack of urgency and execution in key situations.

The Mets are failing to capitalize on leadoff base runners. They’re grounding into double plays and striking out in run-scoring opportunities. Mendoza must decide whether to shake up the batting order or even consider minor roster adjustments if the team can’t break out of this rut soon.

Fans may be patient now, but a few more collapses like the one against the A’s, and that patience could vanish quickly.

A Familiar Foe: JT Ginn Haunts the Mets

Adding insult to injury, Saturday’s loss came at the hands of JT Ginn, a former Mets pitching prospect traded to Oakland in 2022 for Chris Bassitt. Ginn’s ability to command his pitches, mix speeds, and challenge Mets hitters seemed like poetic justice for the A’s and a bitter pill for Mets fans.

The right-hander hit 97 mph on the radar gun and attacked the strike zone with confidence. His performance served as a reminder that sometimes the players you give up can come back to hurt you in unexpected ways.

Looking Ahead: What Must Change?

If the Mets want to avoid another year of falling short, several things must change immediately:

• Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto need to regain their form at the plate.

• The bottom half of the lineup must start producing timely hits.

• Injuries, especially to key pieces like Jose Siri, must be managed with caution and proper depth.

• Carlos Mendoza needs to inject urgency into the clubhouse.

Until then, the pressure on Pete Alonso will continue to mount. And as we’ve just seen, when the slugger isn’t at his best, the team collapses.

Final Thoughts: Can the Mets Still Rebound?

The season is still young, but the signs are troubling. The Mets have a franchise cornerstone in Pete Alonso, but baseball is a team sport. One man cannot carry an entire offense, especially in a stacked division that features teams like the Braves and Phillies.

This 3-1 loss to the A’s isn’t just another mark in the loss column. It’s a warning sign. The Mets must evolve offensively, or they’ll risk wasting another brilliant year from one of baseball’s best sluggers. The clock is ticking, and the margin for error is shrinking.

Will the rest of the lineup rise to the occasion? Or will Pete Alonso continue to swing alone in a losing effort?