Mets' Mendoza skips challenge on Soto's glove-flip out
New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza declined to challenge a close out call at first base involving Juan Soto during Sunday's 5-1 win over the Los Angeles Angels. First baseman Nolan Schanuel flipped his glove-with the ball stuck in the webbing-to pitcher Jack Kochanowicz covering the bag in the top of the third inning. The umpire ruled Soto out despite the Mets bench claiming Kochanowicz bobbled the glove.
The decision echoed Mendoza's choice the previous night in a 4-3 loss to the Angels. In the bottom of the first, Jo Adell lined a hit to right-center with two outs; Mets right fielder Austin Slater relayed to third base, where Bo Bichette tagged Jorge Soler before the run scored. Mendoza did not challenge the safe call on the runner.
Mendoza later explained the replay room had missed the play. "[The replay room] missed it," he told reporters. "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 after a recent 12-game losing streak. New York entered the series with playoff expectations but has struggled through the early 2026 season.
