Devin Williams compounding Mets' losing problems originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Relief pitcher Devin Williams certainly isn't alleviating any internal discomfort.
Williams departed Citi Field on Tuesday night to a serenade of catcalls. He entered to open the ninth inning of a 3-3 game against the Minnesota Twins. Five batters later, he exited with a two-run deficit.
The closer lost control. Of Williams' 21 pitches, nine were strikes, leading to three bases on balls, a single and, eventually, the Mets' 12th consecutive defeat.
"It's tough," Williams said after the 5-3 decision before 32,798 mostly disgruntled fans, as reported by SNY. "I don't know. I've never been part of something like this."
The Mets' skid matched the 12 straight they lost from Aug. 10-23, 2002. No MLB club has qualified for the playoffs during a season in which it lost at least a dozen during the regular season.
With pressure building, starting pitcher Nolan McLean retired the first 15 hitters he faced Tuesday and Francisco Lindor connected on his first multi-run homer since last Aug. 15. The Mets' 5-2 advantage proved to be their largest since April 5.
Williams (0-1) started the ninth by walking Josh Bell on four pitches and Ryan Jeffers on six. Kody Clemens reached on a sacrifice bunt attempt, loading the bases. Luke Keaschall delivered an RBI single and Matt Wallner walked in a run, ending Williams' appearance.
The eight-year major leaguer is signed for $51 million guaranteed over three seasons, according to Spotrac.com.
The Mets made the offseason deal despite Williams registering a minus-0.3 WAR for the New York Yankees last season. In eight games with the Mets, he has two saves, but a minus-0.6 WAR and a 9.95 earned-run average.