PHOENIX — Edwin Diaz made it look like a very easy win Thursday.
This wasn't a closer who'd collapsed after allowing a game-changing home run the night before or three days before that.
Three Diamondbacks batters came to bat in the ninth inning, and Diaz retired all three, including two by striking out, as the Mets won 3-2 at Chase Field.
Diaz said he talked with pitching coach Jeremy Hefner after his recent slump and decided some mechanical changes were needed.
The right-hander was pitching from the third base side and needed to throw more directly to home plate.
“I came in early today and worked with them and everything went smoothly today,” Diaz said.
On Wednesday, he pitched in the eighth inning for a four-out save, but walked two batters to load the bases before Corbin Carroll hit a game-winning grand slam.
Diaz also had a major blunder Sunday in San Diego, giving up a walk-off home run in the ninth inning to Jackson Merrill.
Both home runs were allowed on sliders.
Diaz threw 18 pitches Thursday, 17 of which were fastballs.
“I just follow the catcher,” Diaz said when asked about his decision to all but abandon the slider.
Diaz was grateful to be able to pitch again right away instead of waiting for another opportunity.
“It means a lot to get to the playoffs. [type] “I'm out there and this team needs me,” Diaz said. “I've got to be ready every day and always do my job. Today was a good bounce-back day and I've just got to keep going and keep getting outs and keep winning games.”
Diaz, who has converted just 15 of 21 save opportunities this season (he had a dismal May) said the night before's performance was all but forgotten when he took the mound for the ninth inning on Thursday.
The Mets broke the 2-2 tie in the top of the inning with an RBI single by Jose Iglesias.
“I can wash it all away right now,” Diaz said. “After I spoke with Hefner, I went in there. I knew what I did wrong, and I came in today with a new mindset. I just did my job.”
“It was a great series for us. We lost. [Wednesday]”We bounced back and won a series against a good team. We just need to bounce back and keep doing what we've been doing and we'll be OK.”
