ATLANTA If this season of zeniths and rock bottoms ends somewhere special, here are the words that would be etched into Mets lore: Trust me, Edwin Diaz told manager Carlos Mendoza. Buddy Biancalana Jersey I got this st. After a disastrous eighth inning in the doubleheader opener at Truist Park, Diaz was tired. He had thrown 26 pitches a night earlier. Carlos Mendoza talks with closer Edwin Diaz during the ninth inning of the Mets win on Sept. 30. Charles Wenzelberg He had thrown 21 pitches in the eighth. Just eight of those were strikes. But after coughing up a three-run lead, Diaz returned to the dugout and watched Francisco Lindor drill a two-run home run that gave the Mets a one-run lead. As others went nuts, Diaz went to his coach. He asked Jeremy Hefner if he was still in the game, and his pitching coach said no. See Also So Diaz went one step higher on the ladder and approached Mendoza. With some colorful language, Diaz was insistent. I told Mendy, Im going back out, no matter what, Diaz said. I dont care what you say. Im going back out. Mendoza heard and saw the confidence in Diaz and agreed: Youre going back in, Mendoza remembered thinking. Diaz, of course, could relay this story with a smile because it all worked out. The Mets closer that punched the Mets ticket into the postseason, using sheer will when his arm (and brain on one occasion) failed him. It would have been understandable if Mendoza had lost faith. Diaz entered in the eighth with his club ahead, 6-3, and two runners on base with one out. Explore More Diaz got Gio Urshela to tap out and got Jarred Kelenic to ground a ball down the first-base line, a diving Pete Alonso keeping it in the infield. Alonso rose to his feet and wanted to to s to first, but no one was there: Diaz , which allowed a run to score and became the first thread-pull of an unraveling. It was a mistake, said Diaz, who later apologized to his teammates in the clubhouse. Edwin Diaz celebrates after recording the final out of the Mets win over the Braves on Sept. 30. Charles Wenzelberg Diaz walked Michael Harris II on four pitches to load the bases. A down-the-middle fastball to Ozzie Albies was crushed to left for a bases-clearing double. The Mets lead was lost, and Diaz appeared lost, too. But Lindors swing changed the game, and there was no changing Diazs mind. Francisco Alvarez (r.) celebrates with Edwin Diaz after their win on Sept. 30. Charles Wenzelberg This team gives me so much, and they trusted me, Diaz said. If we were going to lose the game, I want to be the guy who lost it. I want to fight for this team, for these guys. So an exhausted Diaz, fresh off blowing a lead, retook the mound with the opportunity to blow another. With one out, Eli White singled and stole second. Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Mendoza visited the mound, and Diaz began arguing that he should remain but Mendoza already had accepted as much. They talked about controlling the running game, and Mendoza left his closer in the game, willing to live or die with him. Two outs later, they lived. Travis dArnaud grounded out, and after 40 pitches, Diaz threw one more time, his glove spiked against the mound. Francisco Alvarez jumped into his pitcher, but Diazs feet remained glued to the ground. The pitcher who had promised his wife he would not jump around this time. His wife, and Mendoza, could trust him. David Cone Jersey