Acce s the Mets beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Mike Puma about the inside buzz on the Mets. The Mets felt comfortable for a reset because, in part, they trusted Luis Torrens to handle the regular catching a signments in the present. But Saturday, during the at Citi Field, a brutal gaffe by Torrens while he attempted a back-pick at first base allowed one run to score, positioned another to cro s the plate later in the third inning and directly shifted the tenor of their second consecutive lo s to Cincinnati. Weve seen it at times where its kinda like a delayed pick to bases, manager Carlos Mendoza said. Its just, in that situation, its not the right decision, obviously. Torrens, for the most part, has been defensively sound this season, committing just three errors entering the game while throwing out 13 of the 33 runners who have attempted to steal a base against him. His bat has impre sed at times and he went 2-for-3 with a walk Saturday, but the defensive layers to the position have served as his staples. New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) hits a single in the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Citi Field, Friday, July 18, 2025, in Queens, NY. Corey Sipkin for the NY POST Explore More After TJ Friedl faked a bunt with runners on first and second in the third, like he Paul Eboua Jersey was going to throw behind Noelvi Marte at first. But he paused, waited another second, then threw to second baseman Brett Baty, who was behind Marte near first with Alonso charging on the potential bunt. The ball snuck past Baty and into right field, though. Jake Fraley scored easily. Marte scooted over to third. And an early 2-0 lead for the Mets which gave Clay Holmes some run support evaporated one batter later when Mitch McLain singled to score Marte. New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens, left, reacts as Cincinnati Reds Matt McLain reaches home plate after hitting a two-run home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game Friday, July 18, 2025, in New York. AP New York Mets Luis Torrens (13) celebrates while walking during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Cincinnati Reds, Saturday, July 19, 2025, in New York. AP The back-pick wasnt a designed play the Mets had called, Mendoza said. Torrens, a pleasant surprise for the Mets after the Yankees dumped him for only cash considerations last year, was never pegged as their full-time catcher. Splitting time with Alvarez had just as much to do as it did with the 29-year-old maximizing his chances. The Mets sent Alvarez to Triple-A earlier this season. Kylie Richelle But with Torrens hitting just .167 with a .451 OPS entering Saturday in the full-time role since Alvarez went to Syracuse in late June, it could only be a matter of time until the latter returns. Mendoza said beforehand that it could happen at any moment, and that was before Alvarez homered again his sixth in the past four games and 11th in 17 Syracuse games. CHECK OUT THE AND And when he returns, Torrens fight for time behind the plate will start again. Moments like his miscue certainly wont help. We didnt make a couple of plays, Mendoza said of the defensive mistakes. We gave them extra bases, extra outs and it cost us. Avery Bradley Jersey