Díaz Flashes All-Star Stuff in Consecutive Appearances
Cue the Trumpets. Edwin Díaz has returned.
After throwing a hitless inning on Thursday night to secure his first save off the injured list against the Marlins, Carlos Mendoza gave the ball back to Díaz on Friday night looking for a consecutive save.
Díaz came in, and while he bent, he did not break. The former All-Star allowed a lead-off single to Jurickson Profar, but struck out Manny Machado for the first out, and induced a groundout and fly out from Donovan Solano and Jake Cronenworth to secure the save.
By the end, pinch runner José Azocar was left stranded at third base, and the Mets were in line for their post-game high-fives. A nice play from Jeff McNeil helped secure the save, but Díaz’s stuff was undeniable.
The righty threw 21 pitches (14 for strikes), touching 100 mph and striking out two to shut down the Padres and earn the save in back-to-back outings. Friday night’s outing was by far his biggest moment of his season. Díaz’s emotions showed it all and showed just how much that performance and earning the save meant to him.
Carlos Mendoza was certainly impressed. He acknowledged the toughness of his team, and the importance of his closer and infield after the game.
“On a night where it was tough, facing a pretty tough guy there, we knew it was going to be a tough game,” Mendoza said. “But for Edwin to go out there and Jeff McNeil’s play, you know, huge.”
Díaz also spoke with Steve Gelbs after the game. He credited Francisco Alvarez’s confidence in him being able to get the job done.
“I trust in you,” Díaz recited to Steve Gelbs. “You’re the guy here, let’s go get this guy out and that’s what we did.”
EDWIN DÍAZ SHUTS THE DOOR AND THE METS WIN! pic.twitter.com/Pee38UTJa7
— SNY (@SNYtv) June 15, 2024
Díaz’s Friday night save represented his 102nd save of his career, putting him in sole possession of fifth all-time on the Mets’ save leaderboard.
Díaz showed a multitude of emotions after the final out. He didn’t hide from his tough year and stated he was happy to be back.
“It’s been tough for me this year, I just come back and been good.”
Díaz is now 2-1, with a 4.91 ERA, 33 strikeouts, and a 1.18 WHIP through 22 innings pitched in 2024. He has six saves this year.
If Díaz is back and healthy, it could swing momentum in the Mets’ favor. They’ve been without a closer since Díaz went on the IL on May 29, and getting him back at his All-Star level would lock down leads late in games. An aspect of the game the Mets struggled with all May
Still, the road is far away. The Mets are 31-37 with half of June, and the entire month of July before the trade deadline.
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