Francisco Lindor’s Costly Errors Prolong Mets Slump

The New York Mets faced a tough challenge against the St. Louis Cardinals, ending the game with a narrow 2-1 loss in 11 innings. The match on April 1, 2026, highlighted a series of costly errors, particularly by shortstop Francisco Lindor, contributing to the Mets’ ongoing slump.

Francisco Lindor’s Mistakes

During the game, Lindor had a particularly rough outing, going 0-for-4 at the plate. However, his defensive missteps were more significant. In the first inning, he failed to keep track of the outs. After making a force play at second on Alec Burleson’s grounder, he jogged off the field, believing it was the third out. This mental lapse resulted in missing an opportunity for a double play, as the force was only the second out of the inning.

Lindor acknowledged his mistake, stating, “I forgot the outs. I made a mistake that probably cost Peralta to go an extra inning and more pitches after that. Inexcusable.”

Manager’s Perspective

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza weighed in on Lindor’s performance. “He was going to go,” Mendoza said about Lindor’s pick-off in the sixth inning, which was executed by pitcher Matthew Liberatore. “I wouldn’t consider that one as a mental mistake because he was trying to get some momentum. But the first one [forgetting the outs] is the one that can’t happen.”

Mendoza noted that he did not need to discuss the blunder with Lindor, as he was already aware of his error. “He knows — he was pretty pissed when he came in,” Mendoza added, highlighting the importance of awareness in high-pressure situations.

Pitching Performance

While Lindor struggled, pitcher Freddy Peralta had a commendable outing, allowing just one earned run on three hits. Peralta struck out seven batters over 92 pitches, showcasing his skill with a changeup that he didn’t utilize as much in his previous start against the Brewers.

Other Game Highlights

• Francisco Lindor’s critical misjudgment contributed to the Mets’ defensive struggles.
• Manager Mendoza expressed confidence in Lindor’s abilities despite errors.
• Freddy Peralta’s strong pitching performance kept the game competitive.
• Juan Soto extended his on-base streak against the Cardinals to 41 games.

This game served as a reminder of the fine margins in baseball, where a few missteps can lead to a costly defeat. The Mets will need to reflect on these errors to improve their performance moving forward.