Servais not sweating Diaz’s recent struggles

SEATTLE — After rookie closer Edwin Diaz walked the bases loaded and gave up two runs but held on to secure a 7-6 win Friday night, Mariners manager Scott Servais wanted the hard-throwing right-hander to take pride in finishing the job.

“We won the game,” Servais said. “You have to put a smile on your face. You can’t walk out of there like you let everybody down. You didn’t. You got the final out.”

Diaz hasn’t had a feel for his fastball in his last two outings — allowing three runs on four hits combined — but neither the skipper nor the pitcher is worried. Diaz still has nine saves in as many opportunities. Before Wednesday’s game in Anaheim, Diaz had given up only one run in eight appearances since taking the job as the closer on Aug. 2.

Diaz believes all his fastball needed was a quick fix. In Friday’s outing, he was dropping his arm, he said. He will work with pitching coach Mel Stottlemyre over the next couple days to find his arm slot, and the Mariners will do their best to give him at least Saturday night off.

“You’ve got to be smart with how much we use him,” Servais said. “But it’s really hard. We play so many close games, and gosh it seems like every game is life or death. You’ve got to have it. And you always feel good about him out there.”

And Diaz always wants to be out there.

“I will start working …

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