New York Mets, back at home and looking to rebound, bungle the 9th inning, lose their 12th straight game

But that, at least on Tuesday, was not to be.

McLean’s run at perfection ended with a leadoff single in the sixth. His evening got worse a few batters later, when Team USA WBC teammate Byron Buxton obliterated an elevated 3-1 cutter to trim New York’s lead to one. That swing sucked any and all optimism out of the confines like a gigantic vibe vacuum. The Twins tied it up the next inning on an RBI single. Over the final four frames, Mets hitters failed to reach base as the club’s fortnight of woe continued in inexplicable fashion.

“It sucks. It sucks because you’re feeling good, especially because of the way the game was developing there,” skipper Carlos Mendoza said afterward.

Mendoza, whose job security has understandably come into question as his club has collected losses like baseball cards, was impressively positive before Tuesday’s game. He took responsibility for the team’s unsavory streak but remained adamant that better days are ahead. He did not sound like a manager on the hot seat.

“You continue to trust your ability. You continue to trust your people,” he said. “My ability to manage and to lead guys. We got no time to start second-guessing ourselves.”

New York’s players, too, were more upbeat than you might expect, given the circumstances. Coaches and officials championed the team’s process, its work and the quality of its personnel. Owner Steve Cohen insisted he is remaining calm. At least before their latest loss, the Mets did not give off the energy of a club with an 11-game anchor around its neck.

The mood around the ballpark was more one of morbid curiosity than righteous rage, with about 15,000 souls — the announced paid attendance was a very generous 32,798 — rubbernecking a runaway train. The SNY broadcast wafted sage and hung horseshoes and wore necklaces made of garlic. At one point, a fight broke out in the crowd. There were more Bronx Cheers than runs scored.

Hope, the real kind, arrives Wednesday in the form of Juan Soto. The superstar slugger has been sidelined due to a calf issue since April 4. The Mets have not won since April 7. In Soto’s absence, New York ranks last in most offensive categories.

“I hope everybody doesn't put all the pressure on him because it would be a little unfair,” Lindor said after the game. “But I know he's going to help us a ton."

Soto should solve many of New York’s problems. Maybe he’ll even get a few MVP chants like Warren if he plays well. But the task ahead of Soto and his club is daunting.

No team in MLB history that lost 12 games in a row has ever made the postseason.