Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports

September baseball calls for big moments from big-time players, and the New York Mets certainly got exactly that from Edwin Díaz, who delivered another pitching masterclass in a huge spot against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Friday at Citi Field.

Called in for the final two outs in the eighth inning, Díaz delivered as he has done all year before coming back out in the ninth to get the job done and give the Mets their second straight win, a victory they badly needed. It was vintage Díaz, who once again rolled up his sleeves, gritted his teeth, and dragged his team over the finishing line.

With postseason baseball just around the corner, every single game is crucial for the Mets as they look to hold off the relentless Atlanta Braves and keep their grip on the NL East division. With the easiest remaining schedule in MLB down the stretch, it seemed an easy thing for this team to be able to achieve.

That was in theory, however. The reality has been far different with the Mets. The Mets have compiled a 6-7 record in September against teams that are all under .500, flashing warning signs at every turn that maybe, just maybe, the juggernaut we’ve all enjoyed watching all year may have finally run out of steam.

As a result of the inconsistency that has hindered this team so far in September, Díaz entered Friday having thrown just 24 pitches over two appearances since Sept. 1. With the Mets either blowing out or being blown out by the bottom-feeders of MLB, there hasn’t been as much use for Díaz over the past couple of weeks. As someone who has needed regular usage in order to remain sharp in the past, Díaz has adjusted to his new normal when it comes to his lighter schedule.

“I have been getting better with that situation,” Díaz said. “I am more mature right now and understand the game better. This part of the season I don’t have to come to pitch for no reason. I want to save my arm for when they need me.”

Well, the Mets needed his arm in the eighth. After Taijuan Walker gave up a two-run homer to Oneil Cruz to make it a one-run game in favor of the home team, Díaz came in and retired Bryan Reynolds with just one pitch before he struck out Rodolfo Castro with a 100.6 mph fastball to end the inning.

After the Mets couldn’t tack on to their lead, Díaz was called back out for the ninth with the pressure on knowing what was at stake for a team that needs every single win it can get at this stage of the season. While he walked Ben Gamel to begin the inning, Díaz locked back in and struck out Ke’Bryan Hayes after pinch hitter Greg Allen was thrown out attempting to steal by Tomás Nido.

Then, with the final out, Díaz got a little help when Cal Mitchell hit a fly ball out to right field where Jeff McNeil was waiting to execute his second big play of the game after pulling off a stunning catch earlier on. That was the ballgame, and Díaz was just thankful his slider didn’t betray him with the game on the line.

“It was off the bat,” Díaz said. “I saw McNeil running and getting ready to catch the ball and I said ‘oh thank God that ball stayed in the field.'”

Díaz’s five-out save improved the Mets to 7-7 in September, maintaining their one-game lead on the Braves, and it was the veteran’s fourth save this season where he has recorded at least four outs. Díaz leaned on his proven weapon in the slider 53% of the time to get the job done, and it was yet another example of the elite shutdown man coming through in the clutch for his team. It seems like all that extra rest paid off after all.

“Something we have been very adamant about this year, when you have got really good pitchers you have got to do what it takes to be able to attack situations like that later in the season,” Mets manager Buck Showalter said after the game. “I think Edwin is prime to do some of that for us physically now.”