Mets get 2 in 8th to snap scoreless tie and beat Royals 2-1 as Díaz earns 1st save at home

New York Mets Brandon Nimmo, Harrison Bader and Tyrone Taylor celebrate after defeating the Kansas City, Sunday, April 14, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

NEW YORK (AP) — Harrison Bader broke a scoreless tie with an infield single in the eighth inning and Edwin Díaz earned his first save at Citi Field since October 2022 as the New York Mets edged the Kansas City Royals 2-1 on Sunday.

Mets rookie Jose Buttó and Royals starter Cole Ragans matched zeros for six innings in a crisp pitchers’ duel. New York stranded nine runners over the first seven innings — seven between the fifth and seventh — before Chris Stratton (1-1) walked the bases loaded in the eighth.

New York Mets pitcher Edwin Díaz throws against the Kansas City Royals during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 14, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

With two outs, Bader hit a slow roller toward third and Maikel Garcia was unable to make a barehand pickup. Stratton then walked Brandon Nimmo on four pitches, giving the Mets a 2-0 lead.

Díaz gave up a two-out homer to Vinnie Pasquantino in the ninth before getting Freddy Fermin on a popup for his third save this season. The first two came in Cincinnati.

It was Díaz’s first save at home — where his high-energy entrances to “ Narco ” by Blasterjaxx & Timmy Trumpet became hugely popular two years ago — since Oct. 4, 2022. After signing a $102 million, five-year contract, the star closer missed last season following a March 2023 knee injury sustained while celebrating on the field after Puerto Rico beat the Dominican Republic in the World Baseball Classic.

New York Mets starting pitcher Jose Butto reacts on his way to the dugout during the sixth inning of a baseball game against the Kansas City Royals, Sunday, April 14, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Brooks Raley (1-0) struck out two in a perfect eighth for the win. New York has won seven of 10 since an 0-5 start, taking three straight series.

Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. runs after hitting a double against the New York Mets during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 14, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

Buttó allowed two hits and struck out a career-high nine in six innings, the most strikeouts by a Mets pitcher since Jose Quintana had 10 last Sept. 23.

Ragans gave up five hits and fanned eight in six innings. He was aided by a terrific defensive play from left fielder MJ Melendez, who threw out Starling Marte at the plate for an inning-ending double play in the fourth.

Marte slid hard into Salvador Perez on the play, and the All-Star catcher later exited with injuries to his left groin and hip.

THE DOCTOR IS IN

Dwight Gooden had his No. 16 retired by the Mets in a pregame ceremony.

The honor provided closure for Gooden, who pitched for the team from 1984-94. He went 157-85 with a 3.10 ERA and 1,875 strikeouts during a Mets tenure interrupted by substance abuse and a suspension.

Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr. hits a double against the New York Mets during the sixth inning of a baseball game, Sunday, April 14, 2024, in New York. (AP Photo/Noah K. Murray)

“The moral of the story is, everything’s about timing,” Gooden said at the end of a short but enthusiastic speech delivered as a light rain and wind pelted Citi Field. “Now, today, the time is right. My health is good, my mental health is good and today I get to retire as a Met.”

TRAINER’S ROOM

Mets: RHP Sean Reid-Foley (right shoulder) began a minor league rehab assignment and struck out the side in a perfect inning for Class A Brooklyn.

UP NEXT

Royals: RHP Seth Lugo (2-0, 1.45 ERA) pitches Monday as Kansas City begins a three-game series at the Chicago White Sox, who counter with RHP Erick Fedde (0-0, 4.30).

Mets: Continue their homestand Monday night when RHP Adrian Houser (0-1, 5.40 ERA) starts against Pittsburgh LHP Martin Perez (1-0, 1.89).

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