Devin Williams Takes Responsibility as Mets’ Skid Reaches 11 Games in Chicago Loss

The New York Mets continued their downward slide on Sunday, falling 2-1 in extra innings to the Chicago Cubs and extending their losing streak to 11 consecutive games. The defeat added further scrutiny to a season that has quickly drifted off course.

Amid growing questions surrounding manager Carlos Mendoza, closer Devin Williams pushed back on the idea that coaching is the primary issue, instead pointing to underperformance across the roster.

The Mets once again found themselves in a close game late, holding a narrow lead into the ninth inning before the bullpen surrendered the tying run. The loss continued a pattern of late-game breakdowns that have defined much of their skid.

Despite competitive performances throughout the series, New York remains unable to convert close contests into wins, leaving both players and staff searching for answers.

1. Williams Defends Manager Amid Growing Pressure

Following the loss, Williams firmly defended Mendoza, arguing that the responsibility for the Mets’ struggles rests with the players on the field rather than the coaching staff. He emphasized that execution, not leadership, has been the deciding factor in recent games. Williams noted that Mendoza does not directly impact outcomes once players take the field, stressing that the manager has consistently placed the team in positions to succeed. He rejected the idea that a managerial change would alter results, stating that no external adjustment can replace on-field performance when execution is lacking. In his view, the Mets have been competitive in multiple games, but repeated missed opportunities have prevented them from turning close contests into wins.

2. Another Late Collapse Extends Losing Streak

Sunday’s game followed a familiar pattern for New York, as the Mets carried a 1-0 lead into the ninth inning before the bullpen faltered. An RBI double by Michael Conforto tied the game off Williams, shifting momentum late. Williams managed to recover with two strikeouts to end the inning, but the damage had already been done as the Cubs forced extra innings. The Mets failed to respond offensively in the top of the 10th. In the bottom half, a passed ball allowed Pete Crow-Armstrong to advance into scoring position before Nico Hoerner delivered a sacrifice fly to seal the win for Chicago. The sequence underscored New York’s inability to close out tight games. The loss marked yet another one-run defeat during the streak, reinforcing concerns about late-inning execution and bullpen consistency.

3. Performance Concerns Grow as Season Slips Away

Williams’ early tenure with the Mets has been uneven, with the closer posting a 7.11 ERA across his first seven appearances. His struggles have mirrored broader bullpen instability during the skid. Despite competitive efforts in several recent games, the Mets have repeatedly fallen short in key moments, raising questions about both execution and roster performance. Manager Mendoza continues to operate under scrutiny, though the clubhouse publicly maintains support as the team searches for stability. Internal confidence has not yet translated into results on the field. With the season still in its early stages, the Mets have time to recover, but the urgency to reverse their fortunes is increasing as losses continue to mount.