Things didn’t start well pitching-wise for the Mets on Sunday, as Jose Quintana only lasted four innings. But Dedniel Núñez, Danny Young, Reed Garrett, and Adam Ottavino held their own and combined for four scoreless innings and nine strikeouts before Carlos Mendoza turned the ball over to Jake Diekman.
Diekman came in and gave up two earned runs on two hits, including what ended up being the game-winning two-run home run to Ketel Marte that edged the Diamondbacks past the Mets 5-4. Entering Sunday, Diekman was one for two in save opportunities but notched another blown save. He also increased his ERA to 4.26 and fell to 1-2 on the year.
The southpaw noted after the game, “I don’t think I’m executing well enough in certain situations.”
Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-USA TODAY Sports
It’s a common theme that’s plagued the Mets bullpen in 2024, a branch of the team that entered the season with a question mark hanging over their head. The team and new president of baseball operations, David Stearns, followed an approach he used in Milwaukee: sign relievers with a high upside at a low cost. With that mindset, the Mets brought in Michael Tonkin, Jorge López, Jake Diekman, Yohan Ramírez and Shintaro Fujinami.
Putting things into context, only Diekman remains with the big league club, while Fujinami has played the entire season in Syracuse and is on the IL with a right shoulder strain.
A Statistical Nightmare
Of most importance though, the bullpen is tied for the major league lead in losses at ten and has given up 17 home runs since May 1. Six of those losses have come when the Mets led after the eighth inning, and 11 of the home runs came in the ninth inning.
No other team in MLB has lost more than two games when their team was leading after eight innings.
The bullpen began the season as their greatest strength. At one point, they led the National League in ERA — however, entering Monday, they have the tenth-worst ERA in all of MLB at 4.25. On April 16 their ERA was 3.29. The pitching staff also leads the league in walks (241). Issues have arisen left and right, especially with Edwin Díaz‘s sudden regression, who hit the IL himself.
The overall consensus from Mendoza on the Mets’ relief pitchers and the team in general was that, “we need to learn how to finish.”
The Mets head to Washington next for a three-game series against the Nationals before they fly across the pond for a two-game series against the Phillies in London.
