Sports

Mets Closer Edwin Diaz Refused To Leave Game After Blowing Save

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Edwin Diaz

Getty Image / Todd Kirkland


The New York Mets had one of the most dramatic wins on the final day of the regular season on Monday when they beat the Atlanta Braves, 8-7, to clinch a playoff spot. For better or worse, Mets closer Edwin Diaz was a big part of the story of one of the most dramatic games in quite some time.

Diaz blew the game in the bottom of the 8th inning, only to find himself back on the mound to close out the game and clinch a playoff berth for the Mets. But, it’s what happened in between the innings that has people talking.

The Mets and Braves came into a Monday doubleheader, the last two games to be played of the MLB season, with a unique scenario. If the teams split the two games in Atlanta, both would make the playoffs. If one team swept the other, the Diamondbacks would make the playoffs.

Of course, both teams wanted to win the first. You obviously want to clinch as soon as possible and not play an elimination game. And, you want to be able to save your pitching before a playoff game on Tuesday.

But, it looked like the Mets would lose Game 1. The Mets trailed 3-0 after 7 innings. However, they exploded for six runs in the 8th inning to take a 6-3 lead.

Diaz came in for the 8th inning with one out and two runners on. After getting an out, he forgot to cover first base later in the inning and the Braves ended up scoring four runs in total to take a 7-6 lead. It looked like another Mets collapse.

But, Francisco Lindor hit this homer in the top of the 9th to put the Mets back up.

“Edwin Diaz threw 26 pitches on Sunday, and clearly did not have it in the 8th inning. But, there was no way he was letting anyone else close out the game, defying his pitching coach and going right to the manager.

Jeremy Hefner had told Edwin Díaz he was done after the eighth. When Francisco Lindor gave the Mets the lead again, Díaz went right to Carlos Mendoza. “I’m going back out. I don’t care what you say, I’m going back out,” he said. “I got this s—.'” Mets beat writer Tim Britton tweeted out.

This time, Edwin Diaz shut the door and sent the Mets to the playoffs.

The Braves won Game 2, meaning the Diamondbacks are out. The Mets will travel to Milwaukee, while the Braves will travel to San Diego.

Garrett Carr BroBible avatar
Garrett Carr is a recent graduate of Penn State University and a BroBible writer who focuses on NFL, College Football, MLB, and he currently resides in Pennsylvania.