You can’t cheat in plain sight.
In an eventful Sunday Night Baseball game on ESPN, the New York Mets secured a 5–2 victory over the Chicago Cubs.
The game took an unexpected turn in the bottom of the ninth inning when the Mets were poised to close out with a solid three-run lead. They brought in their closer, Edwin Diaz, for what seemed like a routine save opportunity, but the situation quickly escalated.
As Diaz was warming up, the umpires convened and examined something concerning on his right hand.
This scrutiny came into play after a camera close-up during their discussion, which revealed an unidentified substance on his hand. Interestingly, after the examination, the umpires returned Diaz’s glove to him before he exited the field, suggesting that the issue was isolated to his hand rather than his equipment.
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Without throwing a single pitch in the game, Diaz was ejected, leaving the Mets in a sudden bind.
Drew Smith, who likely thought his services would not be required that evening, was suddenly called upon to handle the save situation.
Smith managed to record the first two outs of the inning but then allowed a hit, adding a bit of drama to the already tense scenario. The Mets then turned to Jake Diekman, who successfully struck out Patrick Wisdom, sealing the game and securing the save.
This unusual sequence of events marked one of the most challenging and unexpected situations the Mets have faced during what fans dub the “Grimace era.”
The incident not only highlighted the unpredictability of baseball but also the depth of the Mets’ bullpen, which managed to overcome a potentially disruptive situation and clinch the win.
This game will likely be remembered for its dramatic ninth inning and the resilience shown by the Mets’ relief pitchers.
