Mets see positives from Ryan Helsley despite uneven outing in 10-8 win
Reliever gave up a run in the seventh but manager Carlos Mendoza praised his aggressiveness as team held on at Comerica Park
The New York Mets rode enough offense to a 10-8 victory at Comerica Park but found reason for cautious optimism in a shaky outing from reliever Ryan Helsley.
Helsley surrendered a run in the seventh inning — allowing a leadoff double to Riley Greene and yielding an RBI single to Zach McKinstry — and was removed with two outs after giving one run back. Brooks Raley entered to record the inning’s final out.
Manager Carlos Mendoza said he saw improvement in Helsley despite the run. “I actually thought he was better,” Mendoza said after the game. “They came out aggressive swinging. The fact that [Helsley] threw strikes and challenged hitters is a positive there.”
Helsley has allowed at least one run in seven of his past 10 appearances. The reliever has recently told teammates and staff he is working to correct what he believes is a pitch-tipping issue, and Mendoza said the struggles appear to come down to execution. “I just think it comes down to execution,” Mendoza said when asked if Helsley had worked out his possible tipping problem. “Today they were aggressive and got him.”
The Mets’ win at Detroit provided a modest vote of confidence for a bullpen that has been tasked with protecting narrow leads late in games. Helsley, a right-hander expected to be a high-leverage option, has seen his results dip this season and has been under observation by coaches aiming to identify mechanical or sequencing causes behind the issues.
Mendoza also addressed the status of starter Kodai Senga, whose recent form had prompted questions about his place in the rotation. Earlier in the day Mendoza had not committed to a course of action, but after the game he hinted Senga will remain in the rotation. Senga has struggled at times, and the club has been weighing options for how best to manage the veteran right-hander’s workload and effectiveness down the stretch.
The Mets continue to juggle bullpen roles and rotation decisions as they navigate the late stages of the season. Helsley’s outing in Detroit provided one of several small data points the staff will use in determining how to deploy relievers in high-leverage situations, with Mendoza signaling patience so long as the pitcher continues to attack the strike zone and challenge hitters.