The Mets’ Friday night game against the Mariners began to spiral out of control.
After Jose Quintana pitched six brilliant innings, but faltered in the seventh when he allowed two runs on a single by the ninth-place batter Leo Rivas.
The Mets’ small two-run deficit quickly turned into a massive four-run deficit. And to stop the bleeding, manager Carlos Mendoza pulled his starter from the game.
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Adam Ottavino was the first man out of the bullpen. His job was to get the Mets one out in the inning to keep the game at 4-0. But Ottavino, as he has been for most of the year, struggled.
The right-hander began his trip with a walk to the Victor Robles. Not bone-breaking with two outs, but not ideal with the batters behind the former international.
The next man for the Mariners was Randy Arozarenawho went into the at-bat with a batting average of .219 and was 0-for-2. A scary name, but a guy Ottavino should have been able to handle. Instead, the right-hander walked him after a six-pitch at-bat, loading the bases for the dangerous Cal Raleigh.
It was a turning point for Ottavino and the Mets. Bases loaded, two outs, and an at-bat that could have decided the game. And that’s exactly what happened for the Mets.
The Mariners’ backstop was successful, hitting a single into right field that brought in two more runs and extended the lead to 6-0. The four-run lead had previously seemed like a difficult task, but a six-run lead seemed insurmountable.
In the end, it didn’t matter, as the Mets kept a clean sheet and lost the first game of the series to the Mariners. But if it hadn’t been for Ottavino’s one-out miss in the seventh inning, a comeback would have been possible.
The right-hander’s poor performance comes at a turning point in the Mets’ season. Reed Garrett And Sean Reid–Foley are about to return this season and one in the bullpen will be the underdog.
Right now, all eyes are on the 38-year-old Ottavino. He has posted a 4.43 ERA, a 1.226 WHIP and a 9.1 walk percentage, not ideal for a reliever signed for a high-profile role.
Another glaring problem is stolen bases. Ottavino has had trouble holding runners all season and allowed three more stolen bases against the M’s on Friday.
As of now, Ottavino will remain with the Mets. Tim Britton of The Athletic reported that the Mets are considering an option Alex Young in favor of Garrett, but there is another arm that will be out in favor of Reid-Foley.
