Slumping offense, errors bite Twins, waste Joe Ryan's start in loss to Mets

There are no quick fixes or easy answers for the Twins, matching the worst start to a season in team history through 17 games.

During an ugly 5-1 loss to the New York Mets on Monday night, a slumping Twins offense produced only three hits and two pitchers committed errors on throws to first base that turned into runs.

It was the ninth time in 17 games the Twins (5-12) failed to score more than two runs.

"It feels exactly like late last year," said shortstop Carlos Correa, referencing the team's 12-27 finish to the season. "We have to figure out a way to bounce back and make sure this doesn't dictate the rest of the season."

Two batters after Twins reliever Justin Topa surrendered a go-ahead run in the sixth inning, an RBI double to Mark Vientos, he handed the Mets an extra run.

Topa induced a slow roller back to the mound, fielded the comebacker, then airmailed his throw to first base. Vientos scored from second base as the Twins kept finding ways to compound their mistakes.

And the Twins aren't hitting well enough to give away free runs.

"It's not about whether or not it's frustrating," Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said. "It's whether you let that frustration affect you going forward or not. We can't allow that to happen."

In the seventh inning, Luisangel Acuña dropped a bunt single down the third base line. Twins reliever Jorge Alcala, one inning after Topa's throwing error, whipped a wide throw to first base to move Acuña up an extra base.

Twins pitchers have committed six errors this season, almost all coming on throws to first base.

"These should be routine plays and I don't think any of these guys that are on our staff would argue with any of that," Baldelli said.

The price for those errors is typically immediate. Two batters after Alcala's misfired throw to first base, Juan Soto lifted a two-run homer to center field for his second home run since signing his record 15-year, $765 million contract.

"It gets magnified when it's April and you look at the scoreboard and you see the numbers," Correa said. "People freak out often. I've had a lot of bad Aprils and I end up the season the right way. I know what it takes. You've got to be strong-minded. … This game gets tougher when you're struggling."

Mets starter Clay Holmes gifted the Twins their best opportunity for a big inning in the fifth. With the Twins trailing by a run, Holmes walked two batters and hit a batter to load the bases with none out. Even when Brooks Lee squared to bunt — before he drew a walk — Holmes allowed the runners to advance on a wild pitch.

Christian Vázquez lined out to left field for a sacrifice fly, but that was it for the Twins offense. Holmes escaped with the score tied after a ground ball and a strikeout. The Twins had two baserunners over the final four innings, and one was erased with a double play.

Vázquez, who drove in the Twins' lone run, exited in the top of the ninth inning after he took a foul ball off the middle finger on his right hand. He initially feared he broke a bone, but an X-ray examination did not show a fracture.

"I don't feel nothing; it's numb right now," Vázquez said. "But yeah, we're good. Swollen."

BOXSCORE: Mets 5, Twins 1

MLB standings

Subscribe to the Twins' Extra Innings newsletter here

The loss spoiled a strong start from Joe Ryan, who struck out a season-high eight batters. He completed only five innings because of an inflated pitch count, giving up three hits, one run and two walks. The Mets constantly logged long at-bats against Ryan, including the first inning, in which he faced five batters and still threw 27 pitches.

Ryan issued a five-pitch walk to Acuña, the No. 9 batter in the Mets' lineup, to open the third inning. Acuña stole second base and scored when Alonso laced a two-out single through the left side of the infield, ending Ryan's 10-inning scoreless streak.

In the past seven games, Twins starting pitchers have allowed four earned runs in 37⅓ innings (0.96 ERA). The Twins have a 2-5 record in those games.

"It would be nice to have a little bit more time between innings," Ryan said. "Like I turned around and got my water bottle and I was running back out there real quick. Like a minute or two would be nice. [Holmes] pitched the ball really well."

The Twins own a 0-6 record in their series openers this year, outscored by 22 runs.

"There's a lot you can say, but honestly, there's got to be action," Correa said. "We've got to play better."