In a challenging matchup at Citi Field, the New York Mets faced off against the San Francisco Giants on September 5, 2026, ultimately succumbing to a 9-5 defeat. The game was marked by a dismal performance from Mets pitcher Zac Thornton, who, despite entering the game with a solid 2.93 ERA over 11 starts, had his worst outing as a major leaguer, allowing six home runs and struggling to contain the Giants' offense.
The Giants wasted no time establishing their dominance, with Rafael Devers hitting a solo home run off Thornton in the first inning. This early score set the tone for the game, as the Mets attempted to counter in the bottom of the second. A.J. Ewing, who has had a rough second half of the season, managed to lift the spirits of the home crowd by hitting a two-run homer, giving the Mets a brief 2-1 lead. However, the Giants quickly reclaimed the advantage when Christian Koss launched a two-run blast in the third inning, putting San Francisco ahead once more.
Thornton's performance fluctuated throughout the game; after a shaky start, he retired eight consecutive batters before Koss struck again in the fifth, hitting his second home run of the day. Devers followed suit shortly after, hitting his second homer as well, which extended the Giants' lead to 6-2. Thornton's final line was disappointing: he pitched five innings, allowing seven hits, six runs, and striking out six, a stark contrast to his earlier season performances.
As the game progressed, the Mets struggled to generate offense against Giants starter Anthony Molina, who limited them to just one hit after Ewing's homer through the first six innings. The Mets finally began to rally in the seventh, loading the bases with one out. Although Francisco Alvarez struck out, Brett Baty walked, bringing in a run and narrowing the score to 6-3. Unfortunately for the Mets, they could not capitalize further, as Francisco Lindor grounded out to end the inning.
The Giants responded decisively in the eighth inning. Jefry Yan took the mound for the Mets and quickly found himself in trouble, issuing a walk to Bryce Eldridge before Osleivis Basabe hit a two-run homer, pushing the lead to 8-3. In the ninth, Justin Hagenman followed suit, allowing another home run, this time a solo shot by Grant McCray, marking the Giants' sixth homer of the game.
The Mets managed to score two meaningless runs in the ninth, with Ewing and Jared Young reaching base before Baty hit a double off the left field wall. However, it was too little, too late, as the game concluded with Lindor flying out. The Mets will look to bounce back in the next game of the series, with Christian Scott slated to take the mound.
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