Edwin Diaz's fourth blown save leads to New York Mets' loss - ESPN

NEW YORK — The trumpets sounded just after 4 p.m. Saturday at Citi Field as Edwin Diaz emerged from the bullpen. Fans cheered and danced to the walk-out song popularized during the closer's dominant 2022 season. They cheered again when he was introduced as the New York Mets' pitcher in the ninth inning with a one-run lead over the San Francisco Giants.

Diaz, after a weeklong role demotion, was closing a game again in Queens like old times. But these aren't like old times for Diaz.

His recent disastrous stretch as closer continued Saturday with another blown save, this time on LaMonte Wade Jr.'s one-out RBI single that ultimately pushed the game to extra innings. The Giants then erupted for five runs in the 10th inning for their second straight comeback victory to open the series, this one a 7-2 decision.

Diaz has now squandered a lead in four straight ninth-inning appearances. He hasn't successfully saved a game since May 6. He has four blown saves in nine chances this season.

«He's our closer,» Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said after his team fell to 21-30 with the loss. «In order for us to win games and get to where we want to get to, he's got to pitch. And I felt like that was the right spot.»

The Mets have lost five straight games and 12 of their past 15. They're 6-16 in May, and falling out of the postseason picture fast. Different departments have faltered over the stretch, but their $102-million closer's struggles have been the most prominent.

«Yeah, I think so,» Diaz, 30, said when asked if he felt he was still the team's closer. «I think I got to do my job better, obviously, but I feel like I'm the guy in the ninth inning like they always say. I feel like that. And I'm ready. When they give me the ball in the