New York Mets hurler Jeurys Familia has been erratic since taking the reigns as the team’s closer.
For the second straight day, the New York Mets opened up the ninth frame with the lead.
And for the second straight day, dependable closer Jeurys Familia blew that lead, resulting in two crucial losses that will plague a team fighting to make the postseason.
The Metropolitans entered the game’s final inning with the lead on Wednesday night, but in accordance to what has transpired so much this season, Familia regrettably walked the potential tying run on four pitches. The difference between last night and every game during his historic save streak, of course, is that he wasn’t able to keep the Cardinals from rounding the basepaths.
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New York owned a one-nil lead heading into the ninth inning on Thursday, but Familia loaded the bases, and again wasn’t able to bail himself out like he commendably did against the Chicago Cubs twice in two weeks.
The game’s master navigator faltered twice in the span of less than twenty-four hours.
Unfortunately, this is nothing new.
As the saying goes, “When it rains, it pours.”
Since taking the reigns as the team’s de facto closer, Familia has paired considerable velocity with some nasty breaking pitches. He’s also worked on his fielding and command, two aspects of his game that hurt him back when Jenrry Mejia was the squad’s closer.
Despite his success, he’s been very erratic. For instance, he was unbelievable in 2015, with the exception of the month of July, when he posted an earned-run average of more than four.
Earlier this season, despite his saves streak remaining intact, Familia surrendered six runs in two games — despite only permitting one in the previous ten.
The Mets need their closer to be at full-strength if they desire a playoff birth.