Díaz allows tying HR before Mets lose in 10

NEW YORK — The Mets still have a problem at closer. Barely 24 hours after locking down an Opening Day save in strong fashion, Edwin Díaz blew his first of the year — and his eighth since joining the Mets last season — in a 5-3 Mets loss to the

NEW YORK — The Mets still have a problem at closer.

Barely 24 hours after locking down an Opening Day save in strong fashion, Edwin Díaz blew his first of the year — and his eighth since joining the Mets last season — in a 5-3 Mets loss to the Braves in 10 innings.

Hunter Strickland allowed the game-winning-run in the 10th on an RBI hit from Dansby Swanson, who singled home automatic runner Adam Duvall. That sparked a three-run Braves rally. As part of Major League Baseball’s return-to-play procedures, all extra innings in 2020 begin with a runner on second base.

Mets starter Steven Matz was dominant over six innings, striking out seven Braves and holding them to two hits, but one of those was a Duvall homer. The Mets trailed until the fifth, when Michael Conforto doubled, Amed Rosario tripled him home and Jeff McNeil hit a sacrifice fly to give them their first lead. From there, the Mets relied on three relievers to bring them to the ninth, at which point Díaz entered. He retired the first two batters and had two strikes on Ozuna when he hit a game-tying homer.

Díaz similarly struggled last season when pitching on back-to-back days, producing a 13.50 ERA in those games.

Anthony DiComo has covered the Mets for MLB.com since 2007. Follow him on Twitter @AnthonyDiComo, Instagram and Facebook.