Carlos Mendoza Sends Bretty Baty Message After Mets' Loss to Dodgers originally appeared on Athlon Sports.

The New York Mets fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers on Thursday. While New York was able to clinch the season series against Los Angeles, this 2024 NLCS rematch ended in a four-game split.

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This series finale was a winnable game for the Mets. Jumping out to a 4-0 lead, New York was unable to keep LA's offense in check, surrendering three runs in the bottom of the third that trimmed the lead to one run. Scoring again in the eighth, New York extended its lead before a disastrous bottom half of the inning saw LA score three more times.

The frame was highlighted by a game-costing error by third baseman Brett Baty.

The normally sure-handed Baty was seemingly thrown off by Dodgers catcher Will Smith attempting to get in a rundown, and made a poor throw home. This was just his third error of the season, despite bouncing between second and third base.

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Speaking with reporters after the game, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza had a message on Baty's play.

"We didn't make the play," Mendoza said (via SNY). "I don't know if he got confused. Will Smith stopped halfway trying to get in a rundown. And he arm-faked there... Just didn't make a routine play."

Baty has appeared in 45 games this season. The left-handed hitting infielder has a .714 OPS that doesn't jump off the page, but is the best mark of his young career. A better-rated defender than some of New York's other options at third, Baty is expected to make plays like the one he failed to make against LA.

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This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 6, 2025, where it first appeared.