ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Adam Ottavino was as untouchable as any pitcher in baseball.
Despite the bad timing, he proved to be “a human being,” as Mets manager Carlos Mendoza put it.
Ottavino allowed his first hit and first RBI since April 4, when Christian Scott’s stellar debut was ruined Saturday at Tropicana Field, and the Rays escaped with a 3-1 victory.
Ottavino, 38, took the mound in the eighth inning of a tied game and was the most reliable pitcher on the club, and arguably the most reliable in the league.
In the nine games he has played since April 5, he pitched nine innings, pitched a no-hitter, walked two, and had 17 strikeouts.
The first batter, Jose Siri, struck out on three pitches.
But Yandy Diaz’s single to center field ended Ottavino’s winning streak and the headaches began.
Ottavino gave up a walk to Richie Palacios (Ottavino called the walk “unforgivable”) and Isaac Paredes hit an infield hit that went over Ottavino’s head, loading the bases.
Francisco Lindor relieved one batter for Ottavino. Randy Arozarena’s grounder cleared Brett Batty, who had shifted in, but Lindor backhanded the ball behind him and hit a fadeaway throw home to get the runner home for the second out.
“It’s unbelievable,” said Ottavino, who was unable to escape the inning.
He battled Austin Shenton for nine tense pitches, and the last one was a walk with the bases loaded and a low sweeper that allowed the winning run.
“I fought hard,” said Ottavino, who boasts a 0.81 WHIP. “But I couldn’t make that last pitch.”
After several injuries and several roster moves, the Mets’ bullpen is down to just one left-handed pitcher.
Jake Diekman is the only southpaw with Danny Young optioned Saturday after Brooks Lally and Triple-A option Nate Lavender were injured.
Right-hander Dedoniel Nunez, who combined with Young on Friday for 4 1/3 innings and one run, was also demoted to give the Mets a new arm in right-hander Cole Sulcer.
Sulcer is one of Penn’s six right-handers, but Mendoza said that fact is not a concern.
“We have right-handed pitchers who can take out left-handed pitchers,” Mendoza said.
Coach Mendoza said that Kodai Senga (right shoulder capsule pain) will take his second live batting practice at Citi Field.
Chiga, who held his first live session since his injury on Monday, was expected to pitch the equivalent of two innings.
Drew Smith (sore right shoulder) continues to pitch, Mendoza said. The hope remains that once Smith becomes eligible next week, he will be able to activate from the 15-day IL.
Coach Mendoza said David Peterson did a good job, pitching three scoreless innings for Low-A St. Lucie on Friday. Peterson is recovering from offseason hip surgery and is expected to return on May 27th.
