MIAMI Edwin Diazs most recent blown save wasnt sounding any alarm bells. The All-Star closer Thursday to tie a game the Mets eventually won in extra innings against the Phillies, but it continued a slump in the early season for Diaz, who has three blown saves in his past four chances. Its hardly been the Diaz who electrified baseball in 2022 with an all-time great season for a closer, which earned him a five-year contract worth $102 million. Edwin Diaz has struggled over the last few weeks. JASON SZENES FOR THE NEW YORK POST Diaz mi sed last season rehabbing from surgery for a torn patellar tendon in his right knee. Diaz has pitched to a 3.57 ERA in 17 appearances this season and owns a zero bWAR. Explore More There is nothing wrong with him, pitching coach Jeremy Hefner said before the Mets Alen Hanson Jersey lost, 8-0, to the Marlins on Friday night. Its tough. I get it from a fans perspective. He blows three saves, [Thursday] was a walk and a wild pitch and a ground ball. Hes still getting swings-and-mi ses. Hes still getting strikeouts. The level he pitched at in 2022 was historic. [To expect] him to do it for the rest of his career is unfair to him. Now do we expect him to go out and get saves and shut the other team out? Absolutely. Hefner said adjusting to the pitch clock has been a potential i sue for Diaz, who was on the IL all of last season when the timing device was implemented. Edwin Diaz #39 of the New York Mets looks on from the mound after surrendering a ninth inning two run home run against Christopher Morel #5 of the Chicago Cubs at Citi Field on April 29, 2024 Getty Images Thats the first time hes had to deal with some of this, Hefner said. Those things really present themselves when there are people on base, and hes had more of that recently so its just an adjustment. Brandon Nimmo mi sed a second straight game with a stomach bug. Tyrone Taylor batted in the leadoff spot for a second straight day. The Mets are an MLB-best 32-20 in extra-inning games since 2020 (the year the automatic runner at second base was implemented). Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Thursday the Mets beat the Phillies 6-5 in 11 innings for their most recent victory in extras. Carlos Mendoza didnt want to hear anything about the Mets receiving an opportunity to fatten up this weekend against an underwhelming opponent. The Marlins entered play with MLBs worst record, 13-32. I dont see a soft spot of the schedule in the big leagues, Mendoza said. You are still facing big league teams with big league players. George Bell Jersey