The Mets were still within striking distance when Carlos Mendoza brought in right-hander Adam Ottavino from the bullpen for the fourth inning.
The Phillies were well within striking distance of the game after the top of the fourth inning, with the Mets trailing by six runs and ultimately falling 12-2 in a key game against their National League East rivals on Friday night.
The Mets relief pitchers collectively gave up seven runs on nine hits, and with the game nearly over, manager Mendoza conserved his pitchers by handing over the ninth inning to infielder Eddie Alvarez.
But the decision to replace David Peterson with Ottavino played a major role in the loss.
The Mets manager said he felt he needed to be “aggressive” after the starter gave up eight hits and four runs in 3 2/3 innings, the left-hander's shortest appearance of the season.
“The second time [the lineup] “They were putting together some really good at-bats,” Mendoza explained, “They made some really good adjustments and put all their effort into the ball. I thought I needed to be aggressive there, but it didn't work out.”
Ottavino entered Friday's game with a 4.21 ERA in 51 1/3 innings this season, but the Mets had used him sparingly in high-leverage situations in 2024.
Mendoza's reason for turning to Ottavino was simple.
“I liked the right-vs-right matchup, but it just didn't work out,” the Mets manager said bluntly.
With two outs, runners on base and Trea Turner at bat, Ottavino came to the mound.
The relief pitcher extended the Phillies' lead by sending home Johan Rojas at third base on a single by Turner.
Ottavino intentionally walked Bryce Harper and then, with the score at 1-1, allowed a three-run home run by Alec Bohm on a sweeper throw into the left field stands to make the score 8-2.
“It was just a little thing. I mean, it was nothing major. I threw 14 pitches and it all went down the drain,” Ottavino told the Post.
“I was happy to contribute,” added the right-hander, who explained that he started slow against Harper, leading to an intentional walk, and then Bohm hit a good pitch for a three-run homer.
“He's been getting leads, but I don't think he's been getting hitters done when he needs to,” Mendoza said of Ottavino's recent appearances.
The relief pitcher said he can move forward after a disappointing night, but it didn't lessen the pain of what happened.
“It's really disappointing, I really wanted to contribute,” Ottavino said. “I barely had any chances. I had some little chances and I didn't take them. So it's tough, but there's nothing you can do about it.”
