PHILADELPHIA It took 17 games this season for Edwin Diaz to allow his ninth run and blow his third save, matching the total number of runs he surrendered and saves he coughed up in 61 games during his magical 2022 season. Through the first seven weeks of the season, Diaz proving human has been one of the bigger and le s-pleasant surprises around the Mets. The typically shutdown closer whiffed on his third save chance in his past four tries before the Mets at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday. Edwin Diaz throws a pitch during the ninth inning Carter Kieboom Jersey of the Mets 6-5 win over the Phillies in 11 innings. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Con There are built-in explanations that Diaz can cite for his struggles after all, he is in his first season back from surgery to repair the torn patellar tendon in his right knee but he did not want to blame a body that might still be building up. I was a year out, but thats no excuse, Diaz said after an outing that was not sharp but more promising than his other blown chances. Explore More Diaz entered in the ninth inning with the Mets holding a one-run edge and lost a 10-pitch battle to Brandon Marsh, who walked. Diaz then airmailed a wild pitch that moved Marsh to second. After a strikeout, Diaz allowed Bryson Stotts ground ball to find a hole in the right side, which drove in the tying run. He has not been his dominant self, for which he and his manager offered two explanations: He is working through a mechanical i sue, and he might be still adjusting to a pitch clock that is new to him. Regarding the first explanation, Diaz said he and pitching coach Jeremy Hefner have been fixing a delivery i sue that might be affecting his fastball in particular. He threw just nine four-seamers Thursday, compared with 16 sliders, and he acknowledged that he held more confidence in his slider at this point. Trying to stay on line, more toward the plate, manager Carlos Mendoza said. Hes feeling it a little bit right now, especially with his fastball. This is Diazs first season pitching with the pitch clock, and he said he might have been too cognizant of the clock and working too fast. He talked with Francisco Lindor, who told him to slow the game down. 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! He told me, It looked like youre going too quick, said Diaz, whose ERA is up to 3.57. Perhaps, after the walk and wild pitch, Diaz did allow himself to breathe. He struck out Kyle Schwarber and got J.T. Realmuto to line out, sending the game into extra innings. The result was poor, but Diaz and Mendoza believe the two-time All-Star is moving in the right direction. Hes been through it before, Mendoza said. Confidence-wise, I have no doubt hes in a good spot. Hell be fine. Alex Call Jersey