Devin Williams not using Mets' losing streak as excuse for recent stretch of poor outings

The Mets are in the midst of a lengthy losing streak that has seen some of the best hitters in the league go cold, and starters and relievers implode in various ways.

On Tuesday night, it was Devin Williams' turn. After blowing his first save as a Met on Sunday, Williams was called upon to keep the team's series-opener against the Twins tied at three in the ninth. Williams, however, just could not control his signature changeup and allowed two runs on a hit and three walks in the team's 5-3 loss at Citi Field.

"Felt a little out of sync, mechanically," Williams said of his outing after the game. "Couldn’t really land my changeup for strikes. It was tough to beat guys with just the fastball."

“Today, the command. Getting behind hitters, not able to execute," manager Carlos Mendoza said of his closer. "Once you start walking people, you’re in dangerous territory there. He’s gotta come back in the zone, and when he’s getting behind, good hitters are going to make him pay. Overall, the walks kinda hurt him there."

Williams has thrown his changeup 48 percent of the time this season, but he just couldn't rely on it on Tuesday. Of the 21 pitches he threw, Williams only tossed eight to the five Twins hitters he faced; only one was thrown for a strike.

For a two-pitch pitcher, their job is much harder when one of those pitches is taken away from them. But is it the reason for Williams' recent struggles? After allowing four runs in 0.1 innings against the Dodgers on April 15, Williams allowed a run in the aforementioned blown save in Chicago before Tuesday's performance.

Those seven earned runs have ballooned his ERA to 9.95.

But Williams and Mendoza said today's outing was the result of bad command. Williams, who inked a three-year, $51 million deal with the Mets this offseason, was asked if the team's now 12-game losing streak is adding more pressure on him to perform. The right-hander, who is in his eighth season, didn't agree but can't pinpoint anything specific for his recent tough stretch.

"Obviously, you want to do well," Williams said of pitching during the losing streak. "We’re in a tough stretch here. It’s the same as any other game."

He added, "All three outings were something different. Today, I didn’t have command. Couldn’t throw my changeup for a strike. It’s tough to be one-dimensional."