Mets' Carlos Mendoza lets another controversial call stand after saying team missed challenge in Saturday loss

Mets' Mendoza skips challenge on Soto's tight play

New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza declined to challenge a controversial safe call at first base during Sunday's 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels. Star outfielder Juan Soto grounded to first baseman Nolan Schanuel, whose glove webbing trapped the ball. Unable to extract it while pursuing a double play, Schanuel flipped the entire glove to pitcher Jack Kochanowicz covering the bag; the umpire ruled Soto out despite the Mets bench claiming a bobble.

The decision echoed Mendoza's choice the previous night in a 4-3 loss to the Angels. There, right fielder Austin Slater relayed a Jo Adell hit to third base, where Bo Bichette tagged Jorge Soler before a run could score on replay. Mendoza later explained the replay room had missed the call.

"[The replay room] missed it," Mendoza said after Saturday's game. "We called, and he missed it. [Replay analyst] Harrison [Friedland] is one of the best at his job, and, you know, obviously it ends up being a big play when you lose by one run."

The Mets improved to 12-22 with the Sunday victory at Angel Stadium in Anaheim, California, halting a recent 12-game losing streak. Picked by many to contend for the playoffs, New York has stumbled through the early 2026 season.