Resilient Díaz Helps Lift Mets to Win in Arizona
The Mets have shown resilience all season, on a macro level coming back from 11 games under .500 to get themselves into the playoff race. And on a micro level, rebounding to win games after tough losses that might have sent other teams into longer funks.
Most recently, New York recovered from a walk-off loss in San Diego to beat the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday. The Mets won the day after blowing a 5-0 lead to Oakland on Aug. 15, and back in May, they won the day after Edwin Díaz coughed up four runs in the ninth in a 10-9 loss at Miami.
So, here the Mets were again, trying to win the day after another disastrous Díaz outing.
And here was Díaz, right back in the fire. He flashed his own bit of resilience.
Díaz struck out two in a 1-2-3 inning to earn his 15th save after Jose Iglesias hit a tiebreaking single in the ninth and the Mets won 3-2 at Chase Field Thursday to take the series from the Diamondbacks. New York moved to within 3.5 games of the Atlanta Braves for the final Wild Card spot.
Iglesias’ single drove home Tyrone Taylor, who was pinch running for Jesse Winker, who doubled to set up the winning run.
The game began with a battle of former Oregon Ducks teammates on the mound and both starters did their alma mater proud. David Peterson gave up two runs on seven hits and two walks while striking out four in seven innings. He also picked two runners off first. For Arizona, Ryne Nelson gave up two runs on eight hits and fanned four in 6 1/3 innings.
It was Peterson’s third straight start going at least seven innings and allowing two runs or fewer. His season ERA is down to 2.83 and his ERA in August was 1.87 covering 38 2/3 innings.
The Mets’ first run came when Pete Alonso crushed a solo homer 439 feet to center field in the second, his 29th of the season and 221st of his career, passing Mike Piazza to take over sole possession of third place in franchise history. Darryl Strawberry (252) and David Wright (242) are the top two on the list.
Randal Grichuk‘s two-run shot in the third gave Arizona a 2-1 lead. Francisco Lindor‘s sixth-inning homer tied the game at 2.
Stat of the Game
Lindor has reached base safely in 27 consecutive games. It is the longest active streak in MLB. He has 64 extra-base hits, second only to Shohei Ohtani in the National League.
Player of the Game
Díaz was sharp after giving up game-winning home runs in his last two appearances. He struck out Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Josh Bell before getting Jake McCarthy to pop out to end the game.
On Deck
A chance to make up ground in the playoff race. The Mets go to Chicago to face the 31-104 White Sox. They have lost seven in a row. They have scored the fewest runs (416) in MLB and given up the most (699).
Tylor Megill (2-5, 5.17 ERA) will make his first start since July 27, filling in for the injured Paul Blackburn. Chicago counters with rookie righty Jonathan Cannon (2-8, 4.57 ERA). The 8:10 p.m. ET game will air on WPIX.
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