Mets' Edwin Díaz: First save since injury return 'means a lot'

Edwin Díaz pitched out of trouble in the ninth inning to earn his first major league save since October 2022 as the New York Mets held off the Cincinnati Reds3-2 on Friday night.

It's been a long road back for Díaz, who missed last season following knee surgery. This was his fourth appearance of the year, but he was pitching on back-to-back days for the first time.

"It means a lot," Díaz said of his first save. "The ball was moving great today. My first three outings were no problem. I had to make my pitches tonight."

New York avoided its first 0-6 start since 1963 by scoring twice in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat theDetroit Tigers2-1 in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader. The Mets were hitless through seven innings in that game.

The offense sputtered again Friday.

New York had the bases loaded with one out in the fifth and seventh innings but mustered only two runs, one on Francisco Lindor's sacrifice fly and another on an error by shortstop Elly De La Cruz.

Díaz ran into trouble in the ninth when his fielding error allowed Jonathan India to reach and Spencer Steer walked.

Christian Encarnacion-Strand grounded to shortstop, but Lindor did not touch second base in time to force pinch runner Bubba Thompson. Lindor's throw to first retired Encarnacion-Strand, and the Mets challenged the safe call at second -- which was upheld following a replay review.

India scored on Jeimer Candelario's sacrifice fly to make it 3-2. Thompson then advanced to third on a wild pitch, but Díaz struck out Jake Fraley for his first regular-season save since Oct. 4, 2022.

After signing a five-year, $102 million contract, the star closer injured his knee in March 2023 while celebrating on the field after Puerto Rico beat the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

"It was good, not only to get the save, but being able to work with some trouble," Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. "Back-to-back for the first time, game on the line, really good effort."

Jose Quintana provided a solid start, allowing a run and five hits in 5 innings. He walked four.

"It was cold," Quintana said. "Grinding. Close game. It was the kind of outing where you need to keep fighting every single pitch."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.