New York Mets manager Carlos Mendoza explained the reason why he picked up the sword. It was a difficult decision to assign six outs to the closing pitcher who pitched 1.1 innings the previous day. However, Mendoza had faith in Edwin Díaz (30). Mendoza displayed strong capability and success in the game, which he could never miss to advance to the post season. Díaz lived up to his coach's expectations. The Mets' fall baseball game is one step closer.

The New York Mets beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 in 2024 at Citi Field, their home stadium, on Sunday. Having grabbed two consecutive wins, the Mets tied for second in the National League wild-card race with 87 wins and 69 losses, the same as the Arizona Diamondbacks, who lost to Milwaukee 9-10.

The showdown between first and second place players in the East Division of the National League was a series of tense matches. When Philadelphia Phillies opened the scoring with Alec Bohm's timely hit in the top of the first inning, Tyrone Taylor's timely hit in the bottom of the second inning tied the game. Afterwards, the Mets turned the tables with Brandon Nimmo's superior solo home run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

Mendoza pulled out a super fastball to put up Diaz in the top of the eighth inning. Diaz was on the mound one day after allowing 1.1 innings to save the game against the Philadelphia Phillies on the previous day. It was the closing game where he was responsible for all of the first multi-innings of his career. He also faced off the Philadelphia Phillies leading hitter who hit home runs starting with Kyle Schwarber.

Diaz did not lose much of his power. Although he had a heavy hit by Turner, he allowed Schwarber and Bryce Harper to strike out with fastballs and no runs. Taking the mound in the top of the ninth inning as well, he allowed two walks as his ball control was shaky, but he struck out Cody Clemens with a fastball of 158 kilometers per hour, allowing four strikeouts and no runs in two innings.

"We've been protecting Diaz all season. But this is the time for a big boy," Mendoza said after the game, explaining the reason why he was given two innings at an important showdown.

Diaz, who signed a contract worth 102 million U.S. dollars for five years as a free agent after the 2022 World Baseball Classic, suffered a ruptured ligament when he felt like kneeling while performing a ceremony at the World Baseball Classic last year and blew the entire 2023 season. He also suffered a shoulder injury early this year. 토토사이트 모음

As it is the season to return to injury, Mendoza thoroughly managed Diaz and gave consideration to throw only 49 innings before the game. However, Diaz had five wins, four losses, 19 saves and an earned run average of 3.49, which was not enough to meet expectations.

At the big game on the day, Big Boy Diaz proved his worth. With his guts, he boldly sprayed heavy fastballs to overcome the crisis.

"The coach asked me to take charge of the 8th and 9th innings, and I said I was ready," Díaz said after the game, adding, "I feel really good. I had a shoulder injury at the beginning of the season, but now I feel the rhythm I want."