To begin the 2019 season, Edwin Diaz has looked as dominant as ever. But in Monday night’s 5-4 loss against the Reds, Diaz produced his first real blemish in a Mets’ uniform.
After Diaz retired the first two batters in the ninth inning, he surrendered the go-ahead homerun to Cincinnati’s Jesse Winker that cost the Mets the game.
“It was just that one pitch that I made a mistake on,” said Diaz, whose ERA rose to 1.54. “I felt great in the bullpen, and once I got out there, I felt good. But he just caught me.” (Tim Healey, Newsday)
In Diaz’s previous five outings, he only allowed two runners to reach base. The 25-year-old closer earned the save in Sunday’s win over the Brewers with a clean ninth inning, and he punched out the side in relief on Saturday.
“I’m ready for the highs and lows of the game,” he said. “I’ve pitched well, but today I [can accept] the loss because I don’t think I’m going to have many more this season.” (Tim Healey, Newsday)
The homerun he allowed to Winker was just the second run that Diaz has yielded all season. In 11.2 innings pitched, Diaz has struck out 20 batters while allowing just two walks and eight hits.
In 73.1 innings pitched last season for the Mariners, Diaz struck out 124 batters while posting a 1.96 ERA and 1.61 FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching) and leading the league with 57 saves.
Diaz will be just fine after yesterday’s loss. Even the best pitchers make mistakes every so often, and last night was just one of those outings for the Mets All-Star closer.
