In what seems like a repeat from last season, Edwin Diaz blows save in loss to Braves.
One strike away, closer allows tying home run to Ozuna
Free-agent prize Marcell Ozuna introduced himself to new fans back in Atlanta with a big swing when it counted most.
Just the sort of ingratiation still evading shaky Mets closer Edwin Diaz.
Ozuna hit a tying homer off Diaz with two outs in the ninth, Dansby Swanson scored automatic runner Adam Duvall with a leadoff single in the 10th and the Braves beat New York 5-3 on Saturday.
New York loaded the bases in the bottom of the 10th with no outs against Luke Jackson (1-0). Pinchhitter Dominic Smith hit a sacrifice fly, but Jackson recovered and retired Wilson Ramos to end it.
Ozuna, signed to an $18 million, one-year deal in January, went with a 3-2 fastball just off the outside corner and roped it out to right field for his first home run with the Braves.
“Today is not a day I’m going to lose my confidence over,” Diaz said through a translator, saying he located the 98 mph pitch exactly where he wanted.
Mets reliever Hunter Strickland (0-1) was charged with an unearned run on Swanson’s RBI.
Strickland later bobbled a grounder, allowing Swanson to score, and also gave up an RBI double to William Contreras — the first big league hit for the younger brother of Cubs catcher Willson Contreras.
Duvall also homered for Atlanta, drilling a solo shot in the second, one of two hits against New York starter Steven Matz.
An All-star with Seattle in 2018, Diaz labored through a brutal 2019 with a 5.59 ERA and seven blown saves. He gave up a whopping 15 homers in 58 innings and lost his closer job.
In the fifth, Michael Conforto doubled and scored on Amed Rosario’s triple, and Rosario came home on Jeff Mcneil’s sacrifice fly.
Matz threw six one-run innings with seven strikeouts and one walk.