Pitch 10 of the at-bat appeared slightly below the zone, and Alvarez laid off and took a few steps toward first.

But home plate umpire Ramon De Jesus ruled a strikeout, ending the frame and ending what would have been a bases-loaded opportunity for Tyrone Taylor.

Mendoza, no doubt seeing that the first strike of the at-bat also appeared to be coming off the plate, barked from the dugout and was ejected for the second time this season.

He then ran onto the field and yelled at De Jesus for a few moments before leaving in what had been a terrible game for the Mets, who were down 5–2 at the time.

In a pivotal game during the wild-card chase, Sean Manaea allowed a first-inning grand slam to Mets killer Rhys Hoskins.

Also discouraging was a throwing error by Francisco Lindor, who was trying to return to his ailment in a game after missing eight straight games.