The previous two days ended in disappointment for the Mets, and while the offense was mostly to blame, the bullpen came up short in the excruciating defeats.
Monday night produced a different result that wouldn’t have been possible without impeccable work from three key relievers.
Jose Butto, Edwin Diaz and Reed Garrett all tossed impressive shutout innings, helping the Mets knock off the pesky Nationals, 2-1, in 10 innings to retake the lead for the final National League wild card spot.
“That’s what it comes down to, making pitches and staying on the attack, executing, knowing the situation, not giving in, and they did that today,” manager Carlos Mendoza said.
Diaz gave up a walk-off single to J.T. Realmuto on Sunday and Garrett allowed the go-ahead, two-run double to Cal Stevenson on Saturday.
Both pitchers felt those were quality pitches that just didn’t lead to the desired result.
But to start a seven-game homestand at Citi Field, they were both at their best.
Diaz pitched around a leadoff single in the ninth, striking out Jose Tena with the lead run on third base to close out the frame.
Garrett’s work was the most impressive of the three.
He stranded the automatic runner at second base.
After the Nationals bunted Tena over to third, Garrett got both Keibert Ruiz and Jacob Young to ground out to shortstop.
He celebrated the final out with the crowd as he ran off the field.
“I think any time in extra innings with the guy on second, it’s really hard to not let the guys score,” Garrett said. “Obviously in this game tonight we grinded all night. We made defensive play after play after play. Sean [Manaea] threw the ball really well. When I got out there, it was just emotions, now our guys get a chance to go win it. Let’s put this thing away, get in the clubhouse and let’s celebrate.”
It’s been an up-and-down season for Garrett.
He started extremely well, struggled and then spent a month on the injured list due to right elbow inflammation.
But since his return in early August, he has been terrific, allowing just three earned runs in 13¹/₃ innings while striking out 17.
“I’m healthy, that’s all I can say,” he said.