Mariano Rivera was all smiles as he threw out the first pitch against the New York Mets. Unfortunately, the symbolic first pitch also sapped Rivera of his trademark closing ability and in the ninth, he threw away the game to the Mets and blew his first save of the 2013 season.
After David Wright made contact on Rivera's trademark cutter, Lucas Duda knocked a single behind the infield and rang in the winning run. The Mets young phenom Matt Harvey was a maestro from the mound, and was given the no-decision after striking out 10 and surrendering one run against the Yanks. The loss also propelled the Yankees to a season high three-game losing streak.
Rivera was gracious before the game, but afterwards he quipped, that he ' didn't want to thank them that way.'
Maybe having Rivera on the mound before the ninth inning isn't such a great idea after all.
