In a 7-6 loss to the Cleveland Guardians, New York Mets pitcher Jake Diekman took his anger out on a dugout water cooler.
During five innings of work, starting pitcher Adrian Houser gave up six runs. That is, Diekman came in as a reliever in the sixth inning, with his team trailing 5-4 and a runner on first base, he faced four batters.
With pinch-hitter David Fry at the plate, Diekman got him swinging at both first pitches to make the count 0-2. Fry battled back to make it 2-2, and then fouled a ball off, before hitting a homer over the right field wall at Progressive Field, extending the home team's lead 7-4.
Seemingly, it's always Fry-Day in Cleveland!
Down in the count, 0-2, David Fry belts a pinch-hit, two-run home run over the wall in right field to give the @CleGuardians a 7-4 lead over the Mets in the sixth inning.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/B24laoyc7H
— Bally Sports Cleveland (@BallySportsCLE) May 21, 2024
The next two batters struck out, but then after walking the last batter in the line up, Brayan Rocchio, Diekman got pulled.
Coming off the mound after only pitching 2/3 of an inning, the 37-year-old was visibly frustrated. That is when upon entering the dugout, he grabbed the water cooler and tossed it down the tunnel. At this time, there was still three innings to be played, so the team seemingly had to find some more drinks somewhere else.
Jake Diekman's cooler was clocked at 96 mph.
It is the fastest pitch thrown by any Mest this year. pic.twitter.com/tF5Cg3wjEG
— Statfax (@statfax) May 22, 2024
This is the second straight game Diekman has given up a home run, as in Sunday's win, he also gave up a homer to Marlins catcher Christian Bethancourt (first HR of season).
In his 13th season in the majors, Diekman has a 1-1 record with a 3.86 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, and 23 strikeouts in 16.1 innings of work.
The Mets' bullpen has been in shambles as of late. Closer Edwin Diaz, has conceded runs in each of his last three appearances, giving up seven runs across his last 2.1 innings pitched. Not to mention, the Mets reliever who was doing good, Brooks Raley (0.00 ERA) is now scheduled for season-ending Tommy John surgery.
After the win, the Guardians improve to 32-17, while sitting atop the AL Central division. On the other hand, after the loss, the Mets have now lost nine of their last 12 games, and are 13.5 games back in the NL East division (21-27).
Related: Aaron Nola Threw A Three-Pitch Inning Vs. The Mets That Lasted 85 Seconds
