Mets Crumble Against Royals in Series Opener

Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

July 7, 2026

Royals 16, Mets 12

In a high scoring series opener, the New York Mets surrendered a five run lead to collapse against the Kansas City Royals. At Citi Field on Tuesday, the Royals put 12 runs across the board in two innings to complete a 16-12 victory over the Mets, who were plagued by a struggling relief unit. This overshadowed A.J. Ewing’s 4-for-4 outing and Carson Benge’s inside the park homer. Juan Soto also plated three runs from a three run home run.

Series Opener Madness

Ewing and Bo Bichette lined singles to reach base in the first. Benge then plated a single of his own, but first baseman Jac Caglianone let the ball fall out of his glove. Ewing scored off this, before Caglianone threw the ball out of play. Bichette went home and the ball got away from the Royals again. This three error sequence resulted in Benge scoring his first career inside the park home run.

After the lackluster defense, Tyler Tolbert made up for his team’s mistakes by hitting a two run homer off Kodai Senga in the second. Brett Baty responded with a double, but was tagged out after Luis Torrens reached base. Moments later, Ewing blasted a two-run homer to right field.

With the Mets ahead by three, Senga walked Michael Massey. Tolbert singled and Lane Thomas hit a two-run double to bring the ballgame again within a run. In response, Jared Young lined a single. He was then tagged out after Baty reached base. Luis Torrens batted a single of his own. Ewing came through with an RBI single. Soto capitalized on the momentum, smashing a three run home run to center field. His homer put the Mets ahead by five.

Royals Jump Ahead

As the lineup got into a rhythm, the Mets turned to Alex Warren in the fifth. But this was to no avail. He gave up a double to Caglianone before hitting the next batter he faced. Isaac Collins smacked an RBI double off Warren, as Massey hit a two-run double on the next at-bat.

Tolbert singled and swiped second. Warren then walked another batter, as Bobby Witt Jr‘s force out scored Massey. To end the inning, Salvador Perez hit a game tying RBI single. Overall, Warren surrendered five earned runs and four hits in less than an inning.

In the seventh, the Mets relied upon Matt Seelinger to provide quality control in his major league debut. But the lights were too bright, as he walked Thomas. Perez hit an RBI double to give the Royals the lead. Afterwards, Nick Loftin hit a two run shot to extend the lead to three.

From there, Seelinger walked two more batters. Tolbert hit a single, as Carter Jensen walked in another run. Massey scored off a force out from Witt, while Thomas lined an RBI double to score the Royals final two runs off six-run inning. In total, Seelinger ended his first outing with seven earned runs, five hits and four walks.

Mets Show Fight

As they witnessed their four-run lead turn into a seven-run deficit, the Mets showed resilience. Benge drew a walk, as Jorge Polanco hit an RBI double. Young hit a single, while Baty scored Polanco on a sacrifice fly.

In the eighth, Ewing singled and reached second on a wild pitch. Francisco Lindor then drew a walk, as Benge scored Ewing off an RBI single. Their efforts cut the Royals lead down to four going into the ninth. However, the middle of the Mets order proceeded to go hitless in the inning to end a disappointing four-run loss.

What Went Right For The Mets

The lineup was effective, totaling 14 hits and nine RBI. Ewing went 4-for-4 with three RBI and a two run homer. Soto lifted a three-run homer, as Benge scored on an inside the park homer run. Lefty Cionel Perez started the game with a strikeout in a scoreless first.

What Went Wrong For The Mets

The relief unit contributed heavily to this loss in the series opener. Senga gave up four earned runs, five hits and four walks in three innings. He holds a 8.92 ERA after the outing. Warren surrendered five earned runs and four hits in less than an inning. Seelinger allowed seven earned runs and five hits in two innings. In total, the Royals scored all 16 of their runs of the trio. Lindor went hitless, as Bichette recorded one hit as well.

Looking Ahead

With the series opener behind them, the Mets will look to bounce back in the middle game against the Royals. Christian Scott (2-1 3.49 ERA) will take the mound for the Mets, while the Royals have yet to name their starter as of press time. First pitch for Wednesday’s game from Citi Field is at 7:10 pm Eastern.