Manaea struggles as Mets' piggyback plan falters in 3-2 loss to Nationals
Holmes works 3 2/3 scoreless innings in relief, but Manaea allows four hits and a two-run homer as New York falls at Citi Field while pursuing a late-season wild-card push.
NEW YORK — Sean Manaea took a step backward in the Mets’ piggyback plan, yielding a shaky three-inning start as New York dropped a 3-2 decision to Washington at Citi Field. Manaea surrendered four hits, including Nasim Nuñez’s two-run homer in the second, and the left-hander was unable to keep the Nationals from scoring in each of his three frames. He had been solid in his previous relief appearance on Tuesday against the Padres, allowing one earned run over five innings, but Sunday’s outing represented a setback for a pitcher who has struggled to find consistency this season.
Nuñez’s homer came in the second after Manaea retired the leadoff man, and the two-run blast provided the margin Washington needed to temper a Mets bullpen that otherwise pitched well. Mets manager Carlos Mendoza voiced concern about the failure to elevate pitches in Manaea’s location, saying, "I thought the life on the fastball was there, but he just wasn’t able to elevate it. They got him any time he came in the strike zone." The Mets have discussed a piggyback approach this month, and Manaea’s misstep was a reminder that last year’s plan remains in flux as New York navigates a tight playoff race.
Clay Holmes, in his first relief appearance of the season, came on after Manaea and delivered 3 2/3 scoreless innings behind his teammate. Holmes tied the longest relief appearance of his career, a role he previously filled before moving into a starting assignment upon joining the Mets this season. "I was able to get the sinker going, which is always important," Holmes said. "I felt like I was able to attack hitters and be on the aggressive side of things and got some ground balls." Mendoza has not announced a full rotation beyond Tuesday, when David Peterson is scheduled to open a three-game series against the Cubs at Wrigley Field, but the club is expected to run Holmes and Manaea out together again in the final regular-season series in Miami, depending on how the division and wild-card standings evolve.
As of this game, the Mets trailed the Reds for the NL’s third and final wild-card berth by a single game, with both teams holding identical records and Cincinnati owning the head-to-head tiebreaker. The outcome keeps New York in the mix, with a potential late push for a postseason berth in sight if the offense and bullpen sustain momentum and Manaea can rebound in his next high-leverage opportunity. "As a player, there is still an opportunity to kind of make something special happen," Holmes said. "You can’t try to control results. You just have to go out there and play like you know how to play and leave it on the field."
Manaea has been a significant disappointment this season, posting a 5.59 ERA after missing roughly half the year on the injured list following his return to the club on a three-year contract worth $75 million. The Mets will continue to weigh rotation roles and piggyback options down the stretch as they chase a playoff spot and attempt to maximize the value of their multi-man tandem in high-leverage situations as the season winds toward its conclusion.
