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Edwin Diaz blows save in 2019-like fashion as Mets lose crusher

One strike away from clinching a series win, the ghost of 2019 came back to visit the Mets on Saturday at Citi Field. A day after looking sharp in his season debut, Edwin Diaz failed to make it back-to-back saves as he gave up a game-tying home run to Marcell Ozuna with two strikes and …

One strike away from clinching a series win, the ghost of 2019 came back to visit the Mets on Saturday at Citi Field.

A day after looking sharp in his season debut, Edwin Diaz failed to make it back-to-back saves as he gave up a game-tying home run to Marcell Ozuna with two strikes and two outs in the top of the ninth inning.

Then things got fully 2020.

MLB’s new extra-inning rule was introduced to Citi Field, with a runner starting the inning on second base and the Braves immediately taking advantage to win it 5-3 in 10 innings.

Dansby Swanson led off the top of the 10th with a single up the middle, scoring Adam Duvall from second after the outfielder had made the last out in the ninth. The Braves then piled on against Hunter Strickland, who recorded more hits allowed (three) than outs (two).

Marcell Ozuna celebrates after belting a game-tying solo home run in the ninth inning of the Mets’ 5-3, 10-inning loss to the Braves on Saturday.AP

The Mets loaded the bases with no outs in the bottom of the 10th for Eduardo Nunez, who had pinch-run for Yoenis Cespedes in the eighth. He flew out to shallow center field. Dominic Smith then pinch-hit for Andres Gimenez, who had entered as a defensive replacement for Robinson Cano in the eighth, and flew out to deeper center field for a sacrifice fly that made it 5-3. But Wilson Ramos then grounded out to end the game.

Diaz’s blown save, trying to protect a 2-1 lead, was all too familiar for the non-cardboard Mets fans, who watched the reliever blow seven saves and give up 15 home runs last season. The key piece of Brodie Van Wagenen’s big trade with the Mariners lost his job as closer late last season and finished with a 5.59 ERA, but got a shot at redemption to start this season.

Ozuna’s solo shot spoiled Steven Matz’s sterling start. The left-hander had turned in six innings of one-run ball, giving up just two hits, one walk and one run while striking out seven. The Mets are in need of a big effort from Matz this season after losing Zack Wheeler to the Phillies, Noah Syndergaard to Tommy John surgery and, most recently, Marcus Stroman to the injured list with a torn calf.

Matz had put up encouraging outings during spring training 2.0 and when it finally counted Saturday, he delivered more of the same.

The left-hander’s only blemish of the day came in the second inning when Adam Duvall took him deep for a solo home run. The opposite-field shot drilled a cardboard cutout of Jeff McNeil’s dog, Willow, which was one of three pups in the second row of the right field seats.

Canine crime aside, Matz breezed through the Braves lineup, much like Jacob deGrom had the day before. He allowed just two hits and one walk while striking out seven. He threw 93 pitches before giving way to Jeurys Familia to start the seventh inning.

Familia threw a clean seventh, giving way to Dellin Betances’ Mets debut in the eighth. He allowed a two-out single and was replaced by Justin Wilson for a left-on-left matchup against pinch-hitter Matt Adams. After a single by Adams put runners on the corners, Wilson escaped the jam by striking out Ronald Acuna Jr. for the second day in a row.

Braves lefty Max Fried had held the Mets hitless through 4 1/3 innings, though once they finally got their first hit, their first runs were quick to follow. Michael Conforto put them in the hit column when he rocketed a double to the gap in left-center field. On the very next pitch, Amed Rosario uncorked a triple to the gap in right-center field to tie the game at one.

After Brandon Nimmo was hit by a pitch, Jeff McNeil hit a sacrifice fly to left to give the Mets a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning.

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