Another Blown Save Results In Late 5-4 Loss Against Diamondbacks

The New York Mets (24-35) entered Sunday’s four-game series finale game at Citi Field hoping to capture something that has been elusive for them recently; a series win. After capturing games one and two, the Mets thought they were on pace to emerge victorious in the fourth game of the series against the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, another blown save resulted in a late loss and the Mets fell 5-4.

Unfortunately, it was more of the same for the Mets’ starting pitcher Jose Quintana. Quintana allowed two first-inning home runs, which instantly put New York behind the eight ball. The long ball is something Quintana has struggled with mightily recently, now allowing eight across his last six starts.

Quintana labored throughout the rest of his start, only lasting four innings and 84 pitches. The Diamondbacks touched him up for one more run in the second, but that was all Quintana allowed, as he was able to strand six on base through his four innings of work. His final line read four innings, four hits allowed, three runs, three walks, and four strikeouts.

New York got superb pitching behind him until the eighth inning. Dedniel Nunez, Danny Young, Reed Garrett, and Adam Ottavino all posted scoreless appearances. The group struck out nine en route to setting up a save chance in the ninth.

Manager Carlos Mendoza opted to go with left-handed reliever Jake Diekman for the ninth. After allowing a lead-off double, Ketel Marte hit the eventual game-winning, two-run home run which made it 5-4.

Offensively, it was one explosive inning that saw all the Mets’ runs be scored. In the third frame, all with two outs, Pete Alonso singled to tally the game’s first run. Following that, Brandon Nimmo and J.D. Martinez went back-to-back with triples which put New York up 4-3.

After that third inning, the Mets only tallied one more hit the rest of the game. That one explosive inning was not enough to do it, resulting in the loss. Another tough game to drop for the Mets, who have now dropped six games since May 1 when leading after eight innings.

Statistics of the Game: 33 of 59

Of the 59 games the Mets have played this season, including Sunday’s contest, 33 of them (55.9%) have been decided by two runs or less. This is tied, as of writing, for the most in the major leagues this season (Brewers and Cubs).

Player of the Game: Reed Garrett

Garrett has struggled mightily his last few appearances (eight earned runs over his last six appearances) after a terrific start to the season. He entered Sunday afternoon’s game staked to a one-run game and struck out the side on only 11 pitches. Nice to see a much-needed smooth outing for Garrett.

On Deck

The Mets are right back in action on Monday as they travel to the nation’s capital to face off against the Washington Nationals. Game one of the three-game set is slated for a 6:45 pm ET first pitch. The probable pitching matchup is Tylor Megill versus MacKenzie Gore.

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