The New York Mets remain in danger of falling out of postseason contention after dropping eight consecutive games in the month of September. Although the Mets have gotten back on track since then, the Cincinnati Reds have won three straight entering Saturday and are now just 2.0 games out of the final NL wild card spot.
With pressure mounting, New York entered Saturday’s game needing to take care of business against the Washington Nationals. After falling behind early, the Mets rallied back to tie the game and send it into extra innings, with both teams knotted up at 3 after superstar Juan Soto singled in a run in the bottom of the ninth inning.
The Mets called on their All-Star closing pitcher, Edwin Diaz, to hold the Nationals in the top of the tenth inning — and he delivered. Diaz stranded the ghost runner at second base, inducing three outs on just seven total pitches.
However, the Mets were unable to score in the bottom half, and that’s when manager Carlos Mendoza decided not to send Diaz back out for a second inning of work, instead turning to trade deadline acquisition Tyler Rogers. Washington took advantage of Diaz’s early exit, scoring two runs and taking a 5-3 lead — which ended up being too much for New York to overcome as they lost the game. This also extended the Mets’ streak to 66 straight losses when trailing entering the ninth inning.
The Mets are now 0-66 when trailing after eight innings this season pic.twitter.com/42LFz2nj0f
— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) September 20, 2025
Carlos Mendoza Under Fire for Late-Inning Move
Mets fans reacted to the disappointing decision to remove Diaz on X, as it backfired immediately.
“Edwin Diaz threw 7 pitches,” said a fan.
Another asked, “Why was Edwin Diaz pulled out of the game? He threw only seven pitches in the 10th.”
“Weird decision to pull Edwin DĂaz after 7 pitches. Ended up costing the Mets with an inside-the-park homer an inning later. Pain,” wrote one more.
“Still trying to figure out why Mendoza took Edwin Diaz out of the game,” said another.
The decision to remove Diaz ahead of a second inning of work is puzzling, considering he has only allowed a run twice in nine appearances this year when trotting out for another inning, continuing his usual dominance. Diaz was also fully rested entering his appearance on Saturday, marking only his second in-game appearance over the last five days. Diaz is also clearly the Mets best option in the bullpen, posting a 1.85 ERA and 88 strikeouts in just 59 1/3 innings of work this year.
The Mets will look to get back on track for the series finale against the Nationals on Sunday.
