Bullpen Falters Late Leading To Disappointing Loss

For most, if not all of September, the New York Mets’ bullpen has been superb. It hasn’t been just Edwin Díaz either. Ryne Stanek has been much better as of late, Phil Maton has been effective in virtually every situation, and the Mets are getting contributions from usual minor-league level arms. Having an improved bullpen is one of the many reasons why the Mets are where they are. But, on a day where the team could have secured another series victory on the road, a few of their relievers were unable to execute in the biggest moments.

Mets starter Luis Severino gave New York six solid innings against the Philadelphia Phillies. He left the game with a 4-3 lead, one that could have been larger if it weren’t for two home runs from Bryce Harper. Nonetheless, the game was handed to the bullpen with a lead. But at that point, the momentum was in favor of the Phillies. That only continued once the Mets went to the bullpen.

Danny Young was the first man Mets manager Carlos Mendoza went to. The left-handed reliever made some solid pitches in the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Phillies put the ball in the right spots. Bryson Stott and J.T. Realmuto each had soft singles to shallow left field, putting a run in scoring position with no outs. Brandon Marsh moved the runners up 90 feet with a sacrifice bunt, opening the door for a big inning.

Reed Garrett was brought in to clean up the mess and keep the Mets right where they were. He did well in his first matchup, striking out Weston Wilson with a 99.3 mph four-seam fastball on the outside corner. Garrett was halfway there to a huge moment for the Mets. But, Phillies outfielder Cal Stevenson would prove to be the hero of the day. With the count standing 3-2, he drove a cutter down the right field line, giving the Phillies a 5-4 lead. They would go onto to win 6-4, adding another run in the eighth inning.

“I thought it was a good pitch. I think if I walk him, that’s a worse at bat than throwing a pitch in the zone and trying to make a pitch and trying to get him out. Put a good swing on it, tip my cap,” Garrett said about his at bat against Stevenson. If he decided to pitch around him, Kyle Schwarber would have came to the plate with the bases loaded. Far from an ideal situation.

With 14 games to go, the focus is on the offense and the bullpen. Right now, the rotation is on a tear. Just about everyone in that room is pitching well, a group that doesn’t include Kodai Senga yet. If the Mets are to make the playoffs, the lineup needs to get on one of their hot streaks and the bullpen needs to remain strong. Otherwise, October baseball may not be in their plans after all.

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