Mets bullpen squanders another lead. This time against the Mariners.
NEW YORK — A deep, heavy and ominous bell reverberates around Citi Field, and the lights begin to flicker on and off.
The bell dongs again.
This time, as the sound echoes around the stadium, fans begin to recognize it as Mets right-hander Ryan Helsley’s entrance song, “Hells Bells” by AC/DC.
When Helsley served as the St. Louis Cardinals’ closer, the song represented the figurative end of the game. With the Mets, since their big trade deadline acquisition transitioned to a middle reliever, it represents the end of whichever inning he’s appearing in.
Not anymore.
These days, it might as well signal the end of a good time. The moment before a lead is about to be squandered.
Less than 24 hours after blowing a save, giving up two runs in the Mets’ 4-3 loss to the San Francisco Giants, Helsley did it again.
Entering the game with a 6-5 lead in the seventh inning, Helsley only needed to face three batters to surrender the lead. His final line: two runs on two doubles in 1/3 innings.
After handing the ball to left-hander Brooks Raley, who gave up three runs in 1/3 innings, and then Ryne Stanek, Helsley was in line for the loss.
After the final out was made, with the Mets down 11-9, it was official. Helsley earned his third loss as a Met.
“It’s hard to describe,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said, trying to understand the bullpen’s recent struggles. “Especially with how much talent and elite arms that we’ve got back there.”
In seven appearances with the Mets, Helsley has already blown three saves, while allowing nine runs (five earned) over 5 1/3 innings for an 8.44 ERA. That’s a marked increase from his ERA with the Cardinals (3.00 ERA).
Helsley might be the main culprit, but he’s not the only pitcher in squandering leads for the Mets. Their relievers have allowed 24 runs in their last six games (29 1/3 innings), a 7.36 ERA.
The bullpen isn’t making any excuses. After the game, Raley answered questions in front of reporters.
There, he exuded confidence in the team’s ability to turn things around.
“No one’s going to feel sorry for us,” Raley said. “We’ve had great leaders. (Francisco Lindor) has done a heck of a job every day leading guys, and there’s no one dropping their head. We’ve got lots of baseball left. When it turns I know it’s going to be a lot of fun.”
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Manny Gómez may be reached at [email protected].
Category: General Sports
