4 years agoNew York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz blew his fourth save of the season in the first game of a doubleheader against the Yankees on Sunday. The Yankees scored five times in the seventh inning to tie the game and ultimately went on to win in eight innings by a score of 8-7 after a masterful collapse by the Mets. Called on to get just one out in the seventh inning with a three-run lead and the tying run at the plate, Diaz promptly threw a wild pitch allowing one run to score and then served up a game-tying two-run home run to Aaron Hicks. Although the five-run inning/disaster wasn't entirely Diaz's fault, thanks to manager Luis Rojas' decision to leave Jared Hughes in too long and an error by Andres Gimenez, Diaz was unable to record just one out to secure the win. Diaz went on to pitch the eighth inning and predictably allowed the game-winning run to score on a Gio Urshela single. Despite a solid ERA of 2.77 and a stellar strikeout rate, Diaz has proven terribly inconsistent and incapable of performing in the closer role. It would be prudent at this point for the Mets to go to a full closer-by-committee that includes Diaz, Brad Brach, Justin Wilson, and Jeurys Familia, though none of those options are terribly exciting. Managers should continue to hold Diaz for his strikeout rate and solid ERA, though it is questionable if and when he will get another save opportunity given this incredible meltdown.--Nick Ritrivi - RotoBaller
Source: MLB.com