Even in a losing effort, Marino Rivera may have once again proved why he is regarded as the greatest closer of all-time. In a losing effort to the rival New York Mets, the Yankee closer blew a save opportunity without recording a single out, the first time he's done so over a career spanning 19-seasons.
"It did happen quick," Rivera told ESPN.
The Mets rally began with Daniel Murphy hitting a double just inside the left field line, and David Wright tying the game with a single to center. Following Brett Gardner's throwing error, Wright advanced to second and would later score on a Lucas Duda RBI single. The Mets would end the game with a 2-1 win.
"I think we surprised ourselves," Wright said, "because when you get Mo coming in, it's usually game over."
Out of respect, the New York Mets and Citi Field paid homage to the legendary closer from the cross-town rival Yankees. Saluted by the Mets and the FDNY before the game, the 43-year-old Rivera, who plans to retire after the season, cracked a big smile as he threw out a ceremonial first pitch to Mets career saves leader John Franco following a 91-minute rain delay.
Just before that, the Mets played a video tribute to Rivera that ended with the message, "Congratulations on a Hall of Fame career." Earlier, Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon presented Rivera with a mounted fire hose nozzle and New York City Fire Commissioner Sal Cassano gave the game's greatest closer a mounted call box during a brief ceremony inside the ballpark.
"It has been great, everywhere I've been this year. And tonight everything was great -- until the ninth," said Rivera, who threw only nine pitches.
The teams now head to Yankee Stadium for games Wednesday and Thursday night.
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