New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza was thrown out dramatically during the ninth inning of a 6–4 loss to the New York Yankees on Sunday, following a heated exchange with home plate umpire John Bacon over disputed strike calls.
Controversial Umpire Call Ends Rally Attempt
The incident unfolded with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, as Mets catcher Luis Torrens faced Yankees reliever Devin Williams. Bacon called two consecutive strikes on borderline pitches, ending the at-bat and effectively the game. Mendoza, visibly frustrated, shouted from the dugout before storming onto the field to confront the umpire.
Bacon wasted no time ejecting the first-year manager, who responded with a theatrical outburst. Mendoza kicked dirt over home plate, got face-to-face with Bacon, and pointed emphatically to the areas where he believed the calls were missed. The display drew a loud reaction from the crowd at Citi Field, underscoring the mounting tension in a high-stakes rivalry game.
Mendoza’s Meltdown Fires Up Citi Field
Sunday’s ejection marked Mendoza’s second of the season and came amid growing frustration for a Mets team struggling to keep pace in the National League wild-card race. The loss dropped them further behind in a tightly contested playoff push.
Mendoza declined to elaborate on the details of the exchange postgame but made clear he was defending his players.
“I’m going to stand up for my guys,” he said. “That’s all I’ll say.”
Yankees Hold On Despite Late Pressure
The confrontation capped a rough afternoon for the Mets, who fell behind early and couldn’t recover despite a late-inning push. Yankees starter Nestor Cortes held the Mets to two runs over six innings, while Aaron Judge and Juan Soto each drove in runs to build a lead New York would not relinquish.
Devin Williams, acquired by the Yankees ahead of the trade deadline, recorded the save despite the contentious strike zone in the final frame.
Mendoza’s outburst will likely draw a fine from Major League Baseball, but it may also send a message to his clubhouse. For now, the Mets head into their next series still chasing momentum—and answers.
