Mariners closer Diaz admits he grew tired down the stretch

Published 5:15 pm Tuesday, October 4, 2016

SEATTLE — September for rookies is similar to what boxing once referred to as the “championship distance.” It’s unknown territory from the known past that tests and separates through increased demands on the inexperienced.

Seattle Mariners closer Edwin Diaz, in so many words, acknowledged that extra distance bit him down the stretch. He closed the season by allowing five runs and 10 hits over 6 2/3 innings in five appearances.

That span, over 11 days, included a loss and two blown saves just when the Mariners were mounting an uphill charge in hopes of securing their first postseason berth in 15 years.

“I learned a lot,” Diaz said quietly Saturday night after giving up the winning run in a 9-8 loss to Oakland that ended the Mariners’ postseason hopes. “I didn’t pitch (before) in September. My arm was tired, but I set my mind to keep fighting and to try to help the team to win. This month was tough on me because I was a little bit tired.”

It remains a remarkable year for Diaz, who began the season as a starting pitcher at Double-A Jackson. He switched to bullpen duty in mid-May, gained a two-step promotion to the big leagues in early June and became the closer in August.

“Our (player-development) people deserve all the credit,” manager Scott Servais said. “They identified what he’s been able to do. And Eddie, he’s enjoying his experience so far. He’s always got a smile on his face.

“He’s not really letting anything get to him. Also, his head hasn’t gotten any bigger (as a result of his success). He’s the same guy who showed up here a couple of months ago.”

Diaz, 22, compiled a 2.79 ERA in 49 games. He recorded 88 strikeouts in 51 2/3 innings. He had 18 saves in 21 chances.

He just wasn’t the same in September, which shouldn’t be surprising. He never pitched past Sept. 7 in four previous professional seasons following his selection in the third round of the 2012 major-league draft. Until last year, he didn’t pitch past August.

“The finish to some of his pitches (wasn’t there),” Servais said. “We talked about it when he first came up, we had to be careful in how much we used him; leaving a little bit in the tank at the end.

“There were a few outings when we had to go get him in the eighth inning. That’s just where we were at. We had to win that game. That does put some extra stress on it.”

As Diaz wore down, he tried to compensate by spotting the ball instead of just letting it rip. That approach often backfired.

“I think he tries to feel for it,” catcher Mike Zunino said. “He’s got good stuff. So for him to go out and try to feel for it, instead of just letting it go, that can be an issue.”

Another factor down the stretch was a growing familiarity, particularly among division opponents.

“I think you also have to give credit to people around the league,” Servais said. “Once they start seeing him, and understanding how he does it, they’re going to approach him a little bit differently. I think you saw a little bit of that as well.”

It all amounted to a learning process for Diaz, and one of the big lessons is the championship distance is different. Now he knows.

“Next year,” Diaz said, “I need to try to do better.”