Today's NY Back Pages and Mets Headlines: 5/21/2026

 

Good Morning.  Happy Birthday Hank Webb and Tom Martin.

Section Links: Mets Links, Minor League Links, MLB Links, and This Day in Mets History 

Mets Links:  

5/20/2026 Box Score: Washington Nationals 8 New York Mets 4 

Carson Benge*; RF 1 for 4; Bo Bichette; SS 1 for 4; 1 run; 1 K; Juan Soto; LF 2 for 4; 2 HRs; 2 runs; 3 RBIs; Mark Vientos; 1B 1 for 4; 1 double; 1 run; 1 K; MJ Melendez*; DH 0 for 3; 1 K; Nick Morabito; PH 0 for 1; 1 K; Brett Baty*; 3B 1 for 2; 1 RBI; 1 walk; Tyrone Taylor; PH 0 for 1; 1 K; Marcus Semien; 2B 0 for 4; A.J. Ewing*; CF 1 for 3; 1 K; Hayden Senger; C 0 for 2; 2 Ks; Luis Torrens; PH-C 0 for 1; Zach Thornton*; (L, 0-1) 4.1 innings; 4 runs; 4 ERs; 4 hits; 1 HR; 2 walks; 3 Ks; Austin Warren;  1 inning; 2 runs; 2 ERs; 4 hits; Craig Kimbrel;  2.2 innings; 2 runs; 2 ERs; 2 hits; 1 HR; 2 Ks; 

Brian Joura Mets360: "Zach Thornton made his MLB debut for the Mets and the Nats jumped him for three runs in the first inning. He settled in to go 4.1 innings, allowing 4 ER. All things considered Thornton didn’t pitch all that bad. It will be interesting to see if the Mets give him another start or send him back to Triple-A, where he made just two starts before the promotion."

Mike Puma NY Post: "Juan Soto kept the Mets in the game by blasting two homers, including a two-run shot in the eighth that brought hope of a comeback victory that never materialized. Soto has five homers in his past seven games."

Abbey Mastracco NY Daily News: "Soto cut the lead to two runs, but before that, the Mets hadn’t been able to even create traffic on the basepaths. They took two runs off Littell using five hits over five innings, and two runs off two hits and a walk off Alvarez over the final four. It wasn’t enough to withstand any more offense from Washington (25-25), the league’s leader in runs scored with nearly six per game."

AP Sports: "CJ Abrams hit a three-run homer in the first inning, Jacob Young added a two-run shot in the eighth and the Washington Nationals returned to .500 for the second time since the season’s first week Wednesday night with an 8-4 victory over the New York Mets."

Laura Albanese Newsday: "Going into Wednesday, the unit’s 200  2⁄3 innings were fifth most in baseball. None of this feels sustainable, and it’ll be up to Stearns and Mendoza to somehow, some way find a more permanent solution. Bullpens get tired over the course of the season, and overuse in May tends to look like ineffectiveness in September."

MLB YouTube Channel: Nationals 8 Mets 4 Game Highlights - 5/21/26

SNY on YouTube: Carlos Mendoza, Zach Thornton, Juan Soto Post Game Reactions - 5/20/26

New York Post:

• The family moment that made Zach Thornton’s Mets debut extra ‘special’
• Mets may call up rookie Jonah Tong in next couple of days
• Mets outslugged by Nationals in deflating loss to waste Juan Soto’s huge night
• Zach Thornton’s Mets journey begins with tribute to his paralyzed dad

SNY.tv:

• Despite results, Mets' Zach Thornton reflects on 'super special' MLB debut: 'I feel as though I belong here'
• Mets' David Peterson to start series finale against Nationals
• Juan Soto's two home runs not enough, Mets' bullpen falters in 8-4 loss to Nationals
• Mets expect A.J. Minter to make one more Triple-A rehab start before rejoining team
• Mets prospect Jonah Tong 'in play' to get called up and pitch during Miami series

Metsmerized Online

• Soto’s Two Homers Not Enough to Beat Nats
• Game Chat: Mets vs Nationals, 6:45 PM
• Zach Thornton Ready for Major League Debut
• Bichette Finally Showing Power
• Leaky Defense Does in Mets
• Eli Serrano III Homers in Binghamton Offensive Outburst

Amazin' Avenue

• Zach, attacked
• Mets at Nationals: Lineups, broadcast info, and open thread, 5/20/26
• Mets call up Zach Thornton, option Daniel Duarte to Triple-A
• Getting to know Zach Thornton

Rising Apple Feed

• The best NY Mets defensive season at each position in the StatCast era
• 3 factors that can convince the NY Mets to avoid selling at the trade deadline
• Unleashing young NY Mets players will have us forgetting all about coaching loss
• Silver lining to controversial NY Mets trade is starting to show

Mets360

• Gut Reaction: Nationals 8, Mets 4 (5/20/26)
• Wednesday catch-all thread (5/20/26)

kinerskorner.com

• Zack vs. Zach. and CJ Abrams Ends the Argument Early in Nationals 8-4 win over Mets
• It 8’nt So Simple: The Case For and Against Retiring Gary Carter’s No. 8

Mack's Mets

• Paul Articulates – The folly of the Mets' re-build
• RVH - Part 2: The Mets’ Season Is Being Decided in the Toss-Up Games
• Tom Brennan - Highs and Lows in Metsville

Minor League Baseball:

Syracuse:

• Syracuse Mets Game Recap: S-Mets Offense Puts on a Show in Front of a Sold Out Education Day Crowd
• 5/20/2026 - Box Score: Syracuse Mets 10 Buffalo Bisons 5 
• Christian Arroyo; 2B 3 for 5; 1 run; 3 RBIs; 1 K; 1 double; 1 SB; Jared Young*; DH 1 for 5; 1 run; 1 K; Andy Ibáñez; 3B 1 for 5; 1 K; Ryan Clifford; LF 1 for 3; 1 run; 2 RBIs; 2 walks; 1 HR; 1 SB; Eric Wagaman; 1B 2 for 5; 1 run; 1 RBI; 1 SB; Jihwan Bae*; RF 1 for 3; 2 runs; 1 walk; 1 K; 2 SBs; Cristian Pache; CF 2 for 5; 1 run; 2 RBIs; 1 K; Kevin Parada; C 2 for 3; 2 runs; 2 RBIs; 1 triple; Jackson Cluff*; SS 1 for 3; 1 run; 1 walk; 1 K; 1 SB; Matt Turner*;  1.2 innings; 2 runs; 2 ERs; 2 hits; 1 walk; 2 Ks; Ben Simon; (W, 1-0) 1.1 innings; no runs; 1 walk; Ofreidy Gómez; (H, 1) 1 inning; 2 runs; 2 ERs; 2 hits; 2 walks; 1 K; Parker Carlson; (H, 1) 2 innings; no runs; 1 walk; 1 K; A.J. Minter*;  0.2 inning; 1 run; 1 ER; 1 hit; 1 walk; Cionel Pérez;  1.1 innings; no runs; 1 hit; 1 walk; Alex Carrillo;  1 inning; no runs; 1 walk; 
• 5/20/26: Mets Minor League Roster Moves - Carlson and Correa to Syracuse, Camarillo to Brooklyn
• Syracuse Mets Game Notes - 5/20/2026

Binghamton Rumble Ponies:

• Binghamton Game Recap: Rumble Ponies Denied by the Richmond Flying Squirrels in Walk-Off Finish
• 5/20/2026 Box Score: Richmond Flying Squirrels 7 Binghamton Rumble Ponies 6
• Chris Suero; C 0 for 5; 2 Ks; Jacob Reimer; 3B 2 for 4; 3 runs; 1 walk; 1 K; 1 double; 1 SB; Eli Serrano*; CF 1 for 3; 1 walk; 1 K; José Ramos; RF 0 for 2; 2 runs; 2 walks; Nick Lorusso; 2B 2 for 4; 1 RBI; 1 K; 1 SB; JT Schwartz*; 1B 1 for 4; 1 run; 3 RBIs; 2 Ks; 1 HR; TT Bowens; DH 0 for 4; 1 K; Jaylen Palmer; LF 2 for 4; 1 K; 1 SB; Wyatt Young*; SS 0 for 4; 2 Ks; Jonathan Santucci*;  4 innings; 4 runs; 4 ERs; 7 hits; 1 walk; 4 Ks; Gabriel Rodríguez*;  1 inning; 1 run; 1 ER; 1 hit; Guillo Zuñiga ; (H, 1) 1 inning; no runs; 1 K; Dan Hammer; (H, 2) 2 innings; no runs; 1 hit; 4 Ks; Saul García; (BS, 2) 0.2 inning; 2 runs; 2 ERs; 2 hits; 1 walk; 1 K; 
• 5/20/2026: Binghamton Rumble Ponies Game Notes

Brooklyn Cyclones:

• Brooklyn Cyclones Game Recap: Austin Takes Renegades to School with 6.2 Scoreless, One-Hit Frames on Education Day
• 5/20/2026 Box Score: Brooklyn Cyclones 5 Hudson Valley Renegades 0
• Yonatan Henriquez#; 2B 2 for 4; 2 runs; 1 K; 1 SB; John Bay; CF 2 for 4; 3 RBIs; 1 SB; Ronald Hernandez#; C 0 for 3; 1 walk; 1 K; Corey Collins*; DH 1 for 4; 1 double; JT Benson; LF 0 for 4; 3 Ks; Colin Houck; SS 0 for 3; 1 K; Trace Willhoite; 1B 0 for 2; 1 walk; 2 Ks; Sam Biller*; RF 1 for 3; 1 run; 1 K; Nick Roselli*; 3B 2 for 3; 2 runs; 2 RBIs; 1 HR; Channing Austin; (W, 2-1) 6.2 innings; no runs; 1 hit; 1 walk; 8 Ks; Garrett Stratton;  0.1 inning; no runs; 1 walk; Gregori Louis*;  1 inning; no runs; 1 hit; 1 walk; 2 Ks; Hunter Hodges;  1 inning; no runs; 1 hit; 1 walk; 1 K; 
• Brooklyn Cyclones Game Notes - 5/20/2026

St. Lucie Mets:

• Scarborough, Mets Hold on in 9th for 4-3 Win vs. Cardinals
• 5/20/2026 Box Score: St. Lucie Mets 4 Palm Beach Cardinals 3
• Elian Peña*; SS 0 for 4; 1 K; Jeremy Rodriguez*; 2B 0 for 3; 1 run; 1 walk; 1 K; Randy Guzman; 1B 2 for 4; 2 runs; 2 Ks; AJ Salgado*; RF 0 for 3; 1 walk; 1 K; Julio Zayas; DH 1 for 2; 1 RBI; Yohairo Cuevas*; CF 0 for 2; 2 RBIs; 1 walk; 2 Ks; Branny De Oleo; 3B 2 for 4; 1 run; 1 K; 1 double; 1 SB; Chase Meggers*; C 0 for 4; 3 Ks; Kevin Villavicencio; LF 1 for 3; 1 RBI; Daviel Hurtado*;  3 innings; 1 run; 1 ER; 3 hits; 5 Ks; Justin Armbruester;  0.2 inning; 1 run; 1 hit; 1 walk; 1 K; Elwis Mijares;  1.1 innings; 1 run; 1 ER; 2 hits; 2 walks; Christian Rodriguez;  2.2 innings; no runs; 2 hits; 2 walks; 3 Ks; Joe Scarborough; (W, 1-0) 1.1 innings; no runs; 3 walks; 3 Ks; 

FCL Mets:

• 5/20/2026 Box Score: FCL Astros 8 FCL Mets 3 
• Trey Snyder; 2B 1 for 3; 1 K; Vladi Gomez*; PH 0 for 0; 1 RBI; 1 walk; Diover De Aza; 3B 0 for 3; 1 RBI; 1 walk; 1 K; Anthony Frobose; SS 1 for 4; 1 run; 2 Ks; 1 SB; Yovanny Rodriguez; DH 0 for 4; 2 Ks; Josmir Reyes*; C 1 for 2; 1 RBI; 1 walk; Heriberto Rincon; RF 0 for 3; Bohan Adderley; CF 1 for 3; 1 run; Yeider Mindiola; 1B 1 for 3; 1 run; 2 Ks; Justin Ramirez*; LF 0 for 2; Dillon Stiltner; (L, 0-1) 1.1 innings; 8 runs; 6 ERs; 3 hits; 3 walks; 2 Ks; Luis Sotillo;  0.2 inning; no runs; 2 walks; 1 K; Jun-Seok Shim;  2 innings; no runs; 3 walks; 4 Ks; Yoralbert Cadiz;  2 innings; no runs; 

Complete Mets Minor League statistics

MLB Links:

MLB.com:

• Ohtani blasts leadoff HR, lowers ERA to 0.73 in return to hitting while pitching
• Yesavage wins duel of young AL aces against Schlittler
• Are the White Sox for real? A deep dive into baseball's Cinderella team
• Harrison's utter dominance puts bow on Brewers' sweep at Wrigley
• There's a new ace atop the latest Starting Pitcher Power Rankings
• 12-pitch HR AND Little League HR? Smith's night stuff memes are made of
• Brewers' Hamilton circles the bases after SHOCKING whiff by PCA
• This new trend is taking over ballparks, but why?
• Working with familiar face behind plate, Sale's ERA shrinks to 1.89
• Abrams continues to show knack for spoiling pitchers' big league debuts
• There's no quit in these Rays (33-15) as 4-run 8th secures MLB-best 6th sweep
• 'Wasn’t going to miss this': Thornton's dad sees debut despite temporary paralysis
• Pope Leo receives his signed Konerko jersey at long last
• The most pleasant prospect surprises so far -- one for each team
• NEW low price: Get MLB.TV Seasonal for $139.99 
• Pereda blasts first HR, bullpen holds on as Mariners escape with win
• Tatis at 2B appears to be here to stay ... but how will it impact the Padres?  
• Schlittler blinks first, bemoans lapse of control in battle of young studs
• Injuries: Merrill, Berríos, Yanks, Baldwin, Crochet, Cabrera
• Abbott's solid start, key hits from below fuel Reds' resurgence on road  
• 'They've got homers in them': Stanton happy to lend slump-breaking pants to Jazz
• Down to their final 2 outs, Rangers steal Rox series with 9th-inning rally
• Triple shy of cycle, red-hot Marte leads dominant D-backs stretch
• Merrill (back) doing OK after exiting following attempted homer robbery
• 'Let’s get him some runs': Guards' bats rally late after Bibee's unrewarded gem

Baseball – Winnipeg Free Press

• Shohei Ohtani hits leadoff homer, lowers ERA to 0.73 in another 2-way gem for victorious Dodgers
• Jeff McNeil’s homer in 9th and Tyler Soderstrom’s single in 10th lift A’s to 6-5 win over Angels
• Trey Yesavage outduels Cam Schlittler in marquee matchup as Blue Jays top Yankees 2-1
• Yankees center fielder Trent Grisham leaves game with left knee discomfort
• Shohei Ohtani homers on first pitch, then throws 5 sharp innings in Dodgers’ 4-0 win over Padres
• Spencer Horwitz homers, Konnor Griffin has four hits to help Pirates blank Cardinals 7-0
• Rays rally for 4 in the eighth, beat the Orioles 5-3 to finish a sweep
• Duran’s 2-run, opposite field homer rallies Red Sox to a 4-3 win over the Royals
• Kyle Harrison strikes out 11 as Brewers sweep sloppy Cubs with 5-0 win
• Guardians score twice in the 10th for a 3-2 victory over the slumping Tigers

MLB Trade Rumors

• MLB Mailbag: Top Prospect Success Rates, Rangers, Buxton, Abrams
• The White Sox’ Infield Is Mashing
• MLBTR Podcast: Colt Emerson Debuts, Blue Jays’ Rotation Issues, And What To Make Of The Mets And Astros
• A’s Re-Sign Michael Stefanic To Minor League Deal
• Padres Release Jose Miranda
• Pirates Getting Jared Triolo Work In Right Field
• Peter Strzelecki Elects Free Agency
• J.P. Crawford Getting Work At Third Base
• Astros To Select Alimber Santa
• Angels Outright Alek Manoah
• Gunnar Hoglund Undergoes Season-Ending Hip Surgery
• Bo Bichette’s Slow Start
• José Berríos Undergoes Tommy John Surgery
• Diamondbacks Release Joe Ross
• Rockies Designate Blaine Crim For Assignment

Today in Mets History: 

Born on this date:

• Hank Webb (1950)
• Tom Martin (1970)
• Felipe De La Cruz (2001)

Died on this date:

• Grover Powell (1985)

Transactions:
New York Mets released Bartolome Fortunato on May 21, 2006.

New York Yankees signed Rene Rivera of the New York Mets as a free agent on May 21, 2010.

National Pastime.com: 

1969

The Mets are at .500 at the latest point of the season in team history. The 18-18 record is reached when Tom Seaver blanks the Braves at Atlanta Stadium, 5-0.

2005

When Dae-Sung Koo bats against Randy Johnson, Mike Piazza confides to David Wright in the dugout, "If he gets a hit, I'll donate a million dollars to charity." The Korean reliever, batting lefty off the Yankee fire-balling southpaw and who was afraid to stand in the batter's box in a previous game, promptly hits a 91-mph fastball to the wall in center for a double, causing the Mets catcher to remark he'll be making a significant donation to a charity over the next 20 years.  You Tube Link:

2008

"It's been a lot of negative stuff going on around here and I've been feeling some of that and I was just expressing how I felt at the time, but it wasn't anything to do with race. I wasn't trying to bring race into it. I probably should have thought more about what I was going to say." - Mets manager Willie Randolph Willie Randolph apologizes for his negative remarks concerning SNY's coverage of him as the Mets skipper. The first black major league manager hired in New York had brought up race when asked about the way he is being portrayed by the team's TV network.

Baseball Reference:

1975 - The Reds, entering the game with a 20-20 record, five games behind the first-place Dodgers, come from behind to beat Tom Seaver and the Mets, 11 - 4. Cincinnati will go on to win 41 of 50 games and run away with the National League West title.