Devin

Williams

Williams did his best Houdini impression here, walking the first two batters he faced in a two-run game and eventually walking the bases loaded. Eventually, he struck out the other three batters he faced to secure the stressful save. After throwing 10 straight scoreless outings and only allowing two hits over that span, Williams coughed up a walk-off grand slam last time out and was shaky once again here. It looks like this could just be a Jekyll and Hyde type of season from the right-hander.

Williams started the ninth inning by allowing a double to Christopher Morel. After a sacrifice bunt and a walk, the Mets decided to intentionally walk Xavier Edwards to load the bases for Heriberto Hernández, who promptly hit a walk-off grand slam. It’s Williams’ second loss of the year and his ERA is now 6.35. Williams had a 1.83 ERA in six seasons with the Brewers before his drop-off in production with the Yankees and Mets over the last two years.

The 31-year-old hurler made it hard on himself in this one, allowing a leadoff double to Daylen Lile to put the tying run in scoring position, but he battled back to retire the next three hitters in order to preserve the game. Williams notched his seventh save of the season for his efforts. He now holds a 4.32 ERA and a 25/8 K/BB ratio across 16 2/3 innings on the season.

Williams struck out Max Schuemann, walked Anthony Volpe and then got an inning-ending double play from Austin Wells to keep the Yankees scoreless. It’s his ninth straight scoreless outing since an ugly stretch in which he gave up eight runs in two innings over four appearances.

Williams didn’t allow a hit, didn’t issue a walk, and picked up a strikeout. It’s the sixth save of the season, and the scoreless frame lowers his ERA to 4.91. He’s locked in as the Mets’ closer, but that’s not really the compliment it should be.

It felt like there was no chance Williams or anyone would be called upon for a save chance for most of this game. The Mets opened up an 8-0 lead after the top of the sixth, but immediately gave four runs right back. Then, they stretched their lead back out to 10-6 entering the bottom of the ninth when Sean Manaea allowed one run and loaded the bases while only recording one out. At that point, it was technically a save opportunity and the Mets called on Williams to escape the jam. He did so in dominant fashion and has now stacked up five straight scoreless outings after a series of implosions two weeks ago. Baby steps here and at least the Mets still fully trust him as their closer. It’s not like they have another option, anyway.

Williams got two flyouts and then struck out Troy Johnston to end the game. It’s his fourth straight scoreless appearance.

Luke Weaver had the same line in the eighth. That those two did their jobs so well might have been the highlight for the Mets in his one. The save was Williams’ first since Apr. 5. He’d only had one chance since then and blew it by giving up one run in the ninth on Apr. 19 against the Cubs.

It had looked like Williams was coming on for a traditional save chance with the Mets leading by three runs heading to the ninth inning. As he was trotting in from the bullpen though, Huascar Brazoban (who served up a game-tying grand slam in the eighth), crossed the foul line as he was walking back out to the mound. Since he crossed the line, he had to stay in and face at least one hitter, which he retired. Williams then came on and allowed a couple of singles and a two-out double before striking out Trevor Larnach to end it. Since he only got two outs and started with a clean slate, he couldn’t earn a save. The official scorer gave him the win though after deeming Brazoban ineffective. It’s a minor victory for fantasy managers who have suffered through Williams’ 10.29 ERA and 2.86 WHIP on the season.

Williams played a starring role during New York’s 12th consecutive loss on Tuesday night when he failed to record an out during an ugly meltdown against the Twins where he walked three batters and was charged with a pair of runs. The 31-year-old has struggled mightily in his Mets debut, compiling a bloated 9.95 ERA and 11/6 K/BB ratio across 6 1/3 innings over eight appearances. The hedge here for fantasy managers is to pick up Luke Weaver, who has plenty of closing experience, on the chance that he gets a look in the next save chance for the Mets.