The New York Mets edged out the Philadelphia Phillies 6-5 on Tuesday on a Brandon Nimmo walk-off single. Edwin Díaz recorded five consecutive outs in the eighth and ninth innings to set up the win, but reliever Ryan Helsley surrendered a game-tying homer to Harrison Bader, prompting manager Carlos Mendoza to issue a postgame warning.
“Guys have to step up and do their jobs,” Mendoza told ESPN’s Jorge Castillo. “Helsley has too good of stuff for hitters to be squaring up fastballs and laying off sliders that easily. We need to figure out what’s going wrong, because teams are having way too comfortable at-bats against him.”
The Mets acquired Helsley from the Cardinals at the trade deadline, but he’s struggled mightily since, posting a 10.38 ERA in 11 appearances after carrying a 3.00 ERA in 36 outings as St. Louis’ closer. While a Diaz-Helsley duo has the potential to be dominant, Helsley’s inconsistency has been costly.
Despite bullpen concerns, New York holds the final NL Wild Card spot, leading the Reds by 3.5 games and sitting five back of the Phillies in the NL East. A strong September could set them up for a special October run—if Helsley finds his form.
Offensively, the Mets are surging. Nimmo’s game-winner marked the team’s 43rd run over their past five contests, a stretch in which they’ve gone 4-1. They’ll look to finish off a sweep of Philadelphia on Wednesday night.
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