Edwin Díaz's Triumphant Return Sparks Mets' Comeback Victory
Edwin Díaz made a triumphant return to the mound on Thursday night, pitching a flawless inning that set the stage for a remarkable comeback win against the Miami Marlins. The Mets' right-hander, who had been sidelined since late May due to a right shoulder impingement, delivered a standout performance that boosted the confidence of the team's bullpen.
A Dominant Ninth Inning
Díaz took to the mound in the ninth inning with the Mets trailing 2-1. His performance was nothing short of stellar. He induced a ground out from Tim Anderson, struck out Otto López, and generated another ground out from Christian Bethancourt. Out of his 15 pitches, 11 were strikes, and his fastball averaged an impressive 98.4 mph. According to Statcast, this was an increase of 1.4 mph over his seasonal average, signaling a return to peak physical condition.
Clutch Performances
Following Díaz's lights-out inning, J.D. Martinez launched a dramatic walk-off two-run home run in the bottom of the inning, sealing the victory for the Mets. This crucial win brought the Mets' record to 30-37 for the year and showed glimmers of resurgence after a difficult May.
Díaz's Struggles and Recovery
Before his injury, Díaz entered Thursday’s game with a 5.40 ERA and maintained a 4.29 strikeout-to-walk ratio over his 20 appearances. However, eight of the 14 runs he allowed came during five appearances before his deactivation, during which he also blew three save opportunities. Despite these struggles, Mets Manager Carlos Mendoza remained unwavering in his support for Díaz. "For us to make a run at this, we're going to need Díaz to be Edwin Díaz," Mendoza stated. "He feels good physically and mentally, so we’re comfortable with him going back to the closer spot."
Looking Forward
The Mets went 9-19 in May, but they have shown signs of improvement with a 6-4 record to start June. Both the offense and pitching staff must maintain this level of play to climb the standings. Díaz’s health and effectiveness will be crucial in determining the Mets' fortunes moving forward. The team is hopeful that this victory will spark a sustained run of success.
"We've been trying to piece it together for the past month or so," added Mendoza, highlighting the challenges the team has faced. With Díaz back to his dominant self, the Mets could be poised for a turnaround.
As the season progresses, all eyes will be on Díaz and his ability to close out games. If he can maintain his current form, the Mets could see a significant boost in their performance, potentially changing the course of their season.