### Mets' Late-Game Errors Allow Dodgers to Secure Series Split

In a disheartening end to their four-game series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, the New York Mets endured a frustrating 6-5 loss on Thursday, marked by crucial errors and missed opportunities.

The Mets seemed poised for a series victory, maintaining a lead for much of the game at Chavez Ravine. However, defensive lapses proved costly. A key moment unfolded in the eighth inning when Brett Baty mishandled a grounder from Andy Pages. With Will Smith on third, Baty hesitated and then bounced the throw to catcher Francisco Alvarez, allowing Smith to score the tying run.

Reflecting on the blunder, Baty admitted, "I was pump-faking and I thought he was going to come back and he ended up going the other way. It's just a very dumb mistake and it can't happen in that situation."

Reed Garrett, who had been dependable with a 0.68 ERA in his previous nine appearances, also struggled. After walking Mookie Betts to begin the inning, Garrett gave up a double to Smith, narrowing the Mets' lead to 5-4. Moments later, Michael Conforto, batting only .167, drove home the go-ahead run with a single, sealing the Dodgers' comeback.

Earlier in the series, the Mets had experienced a similar lapse. On Tuesday, Brandon Nimmo misjudged a fly ball from Freddie Freeman in the 10th inning, resulting in a loss. Manager Carlos Mendoza acknowledged the close contests, saying, "Those two games that we lost could have gone either way...when you give them extra bases or extra outs, they are going to make you pay."

Despite the disappointing end, there were bright spots for the Mets. Pete Alonso's third homer in two games gave them an early 1-0 lead, and consecutive homers by Nimmo and Starling Marte extended their advantage to 3-0 in the second inning. Alonso's RBI single in the eighth, moving his season total to 55, momentarily restored a 5-3 lead.

Nonetheless, the Dodgers capitalized on the Mets' mistakes. After Miguel Rojas walked and Shohei Ohtani singled, Betts doubled to drive in a run. Smith's single and Teoscar Hernández's RBI fielder's choice cut the Mets' lead further. Despite David Peterson's efforts to induce double-play grounders and escape further damage, the Dodgers’ relentless offense proved too much.

In the end, Mendoza summed up the feelings of many Mets fans: "We ended up splitting the series here, but it felt like we gave that one away. We were sloppy today, we didn't play well, and it cost us."