The back end of the Mets’ bullpen has been so good for so long. But two of their best relievers gave up homers late, turning a 2-0 lead into a 3-2 loss Sunday afternoon in San Diego. The loss means the Mets split the four-game series with the Padres. But, should the two teams tie, the Mets hold the tie breaker, having won five of the seven games between the two clubs.
Edwin Diaz served up the game-winner in the ninth inning, after Jose Butto surrendered a game-tying two-run blast in the eighth.
It was especially disheartening given the fine effort turned in by Jose Quintana, who had been beat up in his past four starts. Quintana pitched 6.1 scoreless innings and deserved to get a win with how well he pitched.
J.D. Martinez and Mark Vientos each broke out of slumps with two-hit games. Martinez gave the Mets the lead with a solo homer in the fourth inning, while Vientos went deep in the seventh to make it 2-0.
After an off day on Monday to lick wounds, the Mets travel to Arizona to take on the red-hot D’Backs for a key three-game series starting Tuesday night.
Ouch. This one stings. A lot.
No big deal. The Padres are legit. It’s the DBacks they need to skin. I don’t think they have the pitching to survive.
This one did sting. Big effort from Q seizing the moment. Vientos continues to pay dividends. Nice throw by Torrens. Iggy with the footwork. It was a fun game up until those HRs. Padres are a good team and that’s what good teams do. The team we need to catch is the Braves. Need 2 out of 3 against the DBacks.