Edwin Diaz came into Friday's series opener against the Nationals having allowed just one run in his last 12 outings, but one borderline pitch was enough to send the ninth inning into a quick tailspin.
Caught in a seven-pitch battle with Washington superstar Juan Soto, the Mets closer dropped in what he thought was a strike on the inside corner for what would have been strike three, but home plate umpire Kerwin Danley didn't budge, and Soto was awarded a walk.
Two batters later, the game was over, and the Mets lost 1-0 on a walk-off single by Yan Gomes.
"First of all, the 3-2 pitch to Soto was a strike for me," Diaz said after the game. "The guy inside here told me that was a strike. After that pitch, the inning changed completely."
After the walk to Soto, Diaz ran the count full against Ryan Zimmerman before the veteran poked a single through the right side of the infield, putting runners at first and third with nobody out. Gomes followed by ripping a high and tight fastball just inside the third base line for a 1-0 win.
"I made good pitches," Diaz said. "Zimmerman got a broken-bat base hit and the other guy got a jam. I thought I made pretty good pitches, but today wasn't my day. I'm ready for tomorrow."
For Diaz, the inning went back to the Soto walk, which could have been a difference between a win, or at least extra innings, and a loss.
"I thought it was completely a strike," Diaz. "I was looking at the umpire to see his reaction. I think he missed the pitch. that's part of the game. I tried to make pitches, but was unlucky today."
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